Southern Indiana state rep announces retirement
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State Rep. Rita Fleming, D-Jeffersonville, announced Monday morning she will retire from the Indiana General Assembly to spend more time with her family.
Fleming has served House District 71, which includes Jeffersonville, Clarksville and some of New Albany, since 2018. She was re-elected for a third time in 2022 and would have been up for re-election this November after winning her primary unopposed last week.
Democrats plan to caucus another candidate into Fleming’s vacancy ahead of the November general election, said Megan Ruddie, director of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus. Republican challenger Scott Hawkins, whom Fleming narrowly beat in 2022, will also be on the ballot.
Ruddie said her party is prepared to defend that seat, and they will be searching for candidates to step up in the coming days.
“We’re quite confident that 71 is a seat that is in line with the values that a Democratic representative will have for that area,” Ruddie said. “Cities of Jeffersonville, Clarksville and that little section of New Albany has long been represented by and are going to continue to be represented by Democrats moving forward.”
Fleming, a registered nurse and OB-GYN, authored and advocated for several health care bills and had a niche for authoring reproductive health options and safety legislation. Her passed legislation includes the expansion of same-day birth control access for postpartum mothers on Medicaid and the lifting of shackles from pregnant inmates while they give birth.
She has served on the House Natural Resources Committee, House Public Health Committee, Indiana Commission to Combat Substance Use Disorder and Medicaid Advisory Committee. She also was the ranking Democrat for the House Insurance Committee.
“I feel I’ve accomplished some things for moms, babies and overall better public health,” Fleming said in a news release. “I’ve worked to be bipartisan and benefit my district and generally improve life for the people of Indiana. I’ve made friends on both sides of the aisle and consider myself a better and more informed person for that. It’s been an honor being a state representative.”
Democrat leadership commended her time as a legislator and her passion for issues surrounding motherhood and pregnancy.
“As a retired physician with decades of experience under her belt, Rita’s empathy, care and firsthand insights helped her improve Indiana’s public health and healthcare policy,’ Indiana Democratic House leader state Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said in the release. “House Democrats will miss Dr. Fleming’s presence dearly. Rita left Indiana better for her service and contributions. She moved the needle in a tangible, critical way. And that is something to be proud of.”
Fleming said she will spend her newfound free time with her 15 grandchildren, vegetable garden and volunteering.