Kelly Mitchell is the state‘s new treasurer a little early.
Mitchell was sworn into the office for which she was elected just two weeks ago, however her service this year will be the completion of the unexpired term of former state treasurer Richard Mourdock.
"It‘s so exciting," Mitchell said in her first meeting with reporters after a private swearing-in at the Statehouse. "I‘m not sure I slept last night - I did a little, but it is a thrill and an honor to be standing here."
Mitchell easily won election after working for six years in the Treasurer‘s office as director of TrustINdiana, the fund in which local governments contribute money that is invested and earns interest until the governments need to use it. She takes over for Daniel Huge, who has been interim treasurer since August 29.
"I want to thank you so much for taking care of the Treasurer‘s office so well," Mitchell told Huge, who is returning to the Indiana Finance Authority.
"Kelly Mitchell was the people’s choice for Indiana Treasurer of State, and I am grateful that she is willing to assume the duties of this office early and begin what will be a distinguished tenure of service for the people of Indiana,” said Governor Pence in a statement emailed by his office.
Mourdock resigned in August just before a change in state law that would have resulted in the potential loss of thousands of dollars in state pension income. Unlike Mitchell, Mourdock was not a favorite of the state‘s Republican establishment after he defeated then-Senator Dick Lugar in the 2012 primary, only to lose the general election to Democrat Joe Donnelly.
