Kelly Mitchell

Kelly Mitchell is the current Indiana State Treasurer. She was elected on November 4, 2014. She took office early on November 18, 2014. She replaced interim Treasurer, Daniel Huge, who took over after Richard Mourdock resigned.^[1] Mitchell was an at-large delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Indiana. All 57 delegates from Indiana were bound by state party rules to support Donald Trump at the convention.^[2]

Biography

Before becoming Treasurer of Indiana, Mitchell served as Director of TrustINdiana from November 2007 to August 2014. Her office was part of the State Treasurer's office. Before becoming Director of TrustINdiana, She served as Cass County Commissioner from January 1997 to September 2004.^[3] During her tenure as Commissioner, she served as President of the Board of Commissioners for five years and was named First-Term Commissioner of the Year by the Association of County Commissioners. Treasurer Mitchell also served on the State Board of the Association of County Commissioners for three years, and as a member of the County Government Senate Study Commission. As Commissioner, she served seven years on the Logansport-Cass County Economic Development Foundation and as President of the Foundation for one year. She founded and co-chaired Cass County "Make a Difference Day", managing hundreds of volunteers and dozens of projects every year.^[4]

Election

Mitchell filed her candidacy for State Treasurer in 2013.^[5] Two other candidates vied for the position. Financial advisor and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and for Indiana's 6th congressional district in 2012 Don Bates and Marion Mayor and candidate for Indiana's 5th congressional district in 2012 Wayne Seybold.^[6] In the Republican primary convention, the first ballot was a "relative toss-up" and although no candidate won a majority on the second ballot, Mitchell gained votes. Bates, who was in third place, was dropped after the second ballot.^[7] Mitchell won the third ballot, by 860 votes to 497.^[8] She defeated her Democratic opponent, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 2010 Mike Boland on November 4, 2014.^[9]

Tenure

In July 2017, Mitchell announced the launch of INvestABLE Indiana which is a savings program for disabled Hoosiers.^[10] Prior to this, people with disabilities who saved more than $2,000 could lose government benefits. Now, they can use the plan to save $14,000 a year, and keep $100,000 in the account. In order to qualify, a person must have the onset of disability before the age of 26. They must also be receiving Social Security benefits.^[11]

Personal

Mitchell resides in Indianapolis, with her husband Larry, and they have a blended family of four children and two grandchildren.

Education

Kelly holds a B.A. in Political Science from Valparaiso University and a M.A. in Philanthropic Studies from IUPUI. She is an alumna of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. During the summer of 2015, Treasurer Mitchell completed The Commandant’s National Security Seminar at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She has also been selected to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership. ^[12]

Awards

• First Term Commissioner of the Year, Cass County Commission, 2000
• Woman of the Year, Cass County Republican Party, 2000
• Sagamore of the Wabash by then-Governor Mike Pence, 2016
• Torchbearer Award by the Indiana Commission for Women, 2016

References