Caucus will be held in February to replace longtime legislator
A caucus will be held Feb. 5 to replace Indiana State Sen. Frank Mrvan, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 43 years of service.
Mrvan, D-Hammond, said in a statement that he looks forward to “spending more time with all of (his) supportive family members, children and grandchildren in retirement.”
Candidates who intend to run for the seat, which will run through the end of the year, have up to 72 hours before the caucus to file a statement of economic interest with the secretary of the Indiana Senate, and then file a receipt of the statement along with a declaration of candidacy to Lake County Democratic Party Chairman James Wieser, he said.
All the eligible precinct committeemen from the district will be able to vote for the candidate, and there are approximately 105 eligible to vote, Wieser said.
When the 11 a.m. caucus begins, Wieser said the candidates will be able to make a 3-minute introduction presentation before the vote, he said. The caucus will be held at the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland, and there will be four voting machines available, Wieser said.
To win, a candidate has to win 50% of the vote plus one, Wieser said. If a candidate does not win that amount in thefirstroundofvoting,then the candidate with the least amount of votes is removed from the ballot and the vote is held again, he said.
Mrvan was first elected to office in 1972 as a city councilman representing Hammond’s 6th District and has served in city and state politics ever since, according to the statement. Mrvan was elected to the Senate in 1978.
“Holding the public trust in elected office is an incredible honor and responsibility. Throughout my career, I have always placed a value on being able to listen to the concerns of constituents and be their voice in our state’s Capitol,” Mrvan said in the statement.
Mrvan, 88, is the father of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland.
In September, Mrvan was effectively forced out of his seat after the redrawing of Senate maps would require him to move or run against Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago.
The new Senate district maps moved Hammond into District 2 while District 1 now extends from Highland south into Griffith, Schererville and into St. John. District 1 also no longer
includes Munster.
Wieser said that because the district has shifted it’d “make sense to vote in someone who lives in the current and new district.” That way, Wieser said, the candidate voted in by caucus could run during the May primary.
What stands out about Mrvan and his time in the state legislature and other political offices was his dedication and compassion, Wieser said.
When drafting various pieces of legislation, it was clear that Mrvan’s first focus was helping the men and women of Northwest Indiana and being their champion in the legislature.
“That always came through loud and clear,” Wieser said. “He authored some great pieces of legislation and we’re all better for it because it improved the quality of life for the working men and women of Northwest Indiana.”
During his time in office, Mrvan said in the statement it was his “honor to meet with members of Indiana’s veteran community” and that he’s “worked to ensure
that all Indiana veterans received the respect and recognition they deserve.”
“I also did my utmost to spend time with public safety workers and first responders in order to best support them for the noble services that they provide our communities every day,” Mrvan said.
While working in committee, Mrvan said he “did everything possible” to support unions “who built not just the foundation of our economic infrastructure, but who have been instrumental to promoting the strength of our manufacturing base, health care industry and public education classrooms.”
“As our region, state, and nation continue to face unprecedented challenges in relation to our health, education and economy, I will continue to do all I can to be engaged in these issues, and supporting the incredible work of our Northwest Indiana nonprofits and charitable organizations that make a difference for so many individuals and families,” Mrvan said.