NDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, is giving up his post as House Democratic leader and will not seek re-election in 2018, according to a letter he sent Sunday to members of his caucus.
The 19-year representative said he will finish his current two-year term. But, as the father of a new baby, he no longer has the time to shoulder the burdens of being Democratic leader.
"I have always viewed the position of leader as pure service, not one of grandiosity or ambition," Pelath said in his letter, portions of which were provided to reporters.
"Immediately after the past election, I confided to many of you that I was not going to do this forever. And after several months of repressed doubts, soul-searching, and discussions with my family that time has come — as it does for most of us."
Pelath indicated that his last day as leader will be Tuesday, when the General Assembly convenes for its one-day organizational meeting ahead of the 2018 legislative session.
House Democrats are planning to meet privately that day as they typically do on Organization Day.
However, it's not yet known whether they'll elect a new leader immediately, or hold additional caucus meetings in December to pick a leader prior to the Legislature opening for regular business on Jan. 3.
The Democratic floor leader, state Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond, said she's not planning to compete for Pelath's position, which she previously held in 2012 after then-Democratic Leader Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, was deposed due to his combative leadership style.
House Democrats last held a House majority in 2010. Republican-led redistricting and a six-week walkout in 2011 to protest right-to-work legislation helped cut the Democratic caucus to 31 after the 2012 elections.
Today, there are 30 Democrats serving in the 100-member chamber.
Lawson said Pelath's decision to quit as leader puts House Democrats in a difficult spot going into the 2018 election cycle, which had looked like a promising opportunity to grow the caucus toward regaining a majority — provided it successfully raised money throughout the year.
"Scott has been our leader and he's got a good name with labor and other contributors, so it would be great if he stuck around until (next) November," Lawson said. "I pleaded with him and it didn't do any good so we have to move on from that."
Lawson said she understands Pelath's desire to spend more time at home and his reluctance to continue as leader because, "It's a big job."
"It's not just raising money, it's dealing with staff issues, it's dealing with the legislators themselves and their personal issues and their concerns, it's traveling all over the state and it's keeping your own life in order," Lawson said. "It's multifaceted and it's huge."
Lawson said she doesn't know who is most likely to succeed Pelath, though she's heard that state Reps. Cherrish Pryor and Dan Forestal, both D-Indianapolis, already are calling lawmakers to express their interest in the post.
Others likely up for the job include Democratic Whip Terri Austin, D-Anderson; state Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis; Assistant Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne; Assistant Floor Leader Chuck Moseley, D-Portage; and Bauer.