November 24, 2020

Stutzman Resigning From Indiana House, Blames Governor

Article origination IPBS-RJC
Rep. Christy Stutzman (R-Middlebury) was first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2018.  - Courtesy of the Indiana House Republican caucus

Rep. Christy Stutzman (R-Middlebury) was first elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2018.

Courtesy of the Indiana House Republican caucus

Rep. Christy Stutzman (R-Middlebury) announced Tuesday she is resigning her seat in the Indiana House of Representatives. And she’s blaming Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Stutzman runs a tourism business with her family, the Barns at Nappanee, in northeast Indiana. In a Facebook post, the second-term representative said the governor’s “unilateral” COVID-19 restrictions have put the business in serious jeopardy.

And Stutzman said Holcomb’s latest restrictions forced her to resign – effective next month – to focus more fully on keeping the business afloat.

READ MORE: Indiana Hits 5,000 Confirmed COVID-19 Deaths, 1,000 Reported In Just 24 Days

The only new requirement for businesses in Holcomb’s latest executive order says they need to post a sign about face coverings and ensure employees and customers are wearing masks.

The governor’s latest order does more strictly limit social gatherings – including weddings, which Stutzman’s business hosts. However, venues like Stutzman’s can get approval from local health departments to exceed those gathering limits.

Stutzman’s replacement will be chosen by a private Republican precinct caucus.

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

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Both Democratic U.S. Senate candidates cite abortion rights as major impetus for their campaigns
Here's what Indiana's Republican gubernatorial candidates have to say about cannabis
Here's what Indiana's Republican gubernatorial candidates have to say about abortion