18-Year-Olds Serving In General Assembly? No Thanks, Say Indiana GOP Leaders

Republican legislative leaders aren’t sold on a proposal to lower the minimum age at which a Hoosier could serve in the General Assembly.

The Indiana Constitution says Hoosiers must be 25 years old to serve in the state Senate, 21 in the House. Rep. Chris Chyung (D-Dyer) wants to lower that, ideally to 18. He argues it will help both parties build the future.

Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) says he thinks it’s worth it to consider why age limits were set where they are.

“I suppose it was because they think, well maybe people in these positions need to be just a bit more seasoned than 18 years old,” Bray says.

Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) jokes the minimum age should be 40 or 45.

“I think the framers made it that way for good reason and I don’t see anything compelling to change it,” Bosma says.

The 2020 session begins Jan. 6.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.