By STU CLAMPITT
Laura Campbell is stepping down as Hamilton County Republican Party Chair next Wednesday.
Campbell
In both a public statement and in a conversation with The Reporter, Campbell said her decision was about personal reasons and time management. Campbell told The Reporter that once she had decided to step down, she wanted to do so early enough in the year that her replacement would have ample time to prepare for and help with the upcoming primary election.
Before becoming Hamilton County Republican Party Chair, she had previously served as Executive Director and later Vice Chair.
In addition to her duties as with the Hamilton County Republican Party, Campbell is a member of the Carmel City Council, where she has previously been served as vice president in 2019 and president in 2020. In 2019, Campbell spearheaded the creation of the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability, which was approved by the council with unanimous support.
Hamilton County GOP Vice Chair Will Riley will call a caucus to seek a replacement for Campbell in the weeks to come.
On Wednesday morning, Campbell released to following public statement:
I am resigning as Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party effective midnight on January 19, 2022. After the loss of both of my parents last year I gained a new perspective on how I want to spend my free time. Being party chairman takes up a large part of my free time and I would like to spend more time with my family.
I will be at next week’s GOP breakfast meeting and hope to see you there. Will Riley, Vice Chairman, will set the date for a caucus to elect my replacement.
Together we have made great strides in the party, among them: expanding the party’s reach and welcoming more diverse involvement in the party, growing our local clubs, and the successful grassroots efforts in 2020 that resulted in substantial wins for our candidates. Republicans are well-positioned for continued success this year in the midterm elections and I will work with the new leadership for a smooth transition.
Hamilton County Republican Party Vice Chairman Will Riley told The Reporter there are multiple reasons the caucus to replace Campbell should take place before Feb. 4.
Riley
“Laura has given great service to the party, but the fact of having two parents die and going through all that and the estate work, I think she is ready to lay aside that mantle,” Riley said. “To assist her in that process we will try to have a caucus as quickly as possible.”
Riley had nothing but praise for Campbell when he spoke to The Reporter.
“It is a difficult job that she has, being an elected official and being head of the party,” Riley said. “She has given her all and she is owed tremendous kudos, but I think the sooner we can get this resolved for her the better. That’s going to be the motivating factor.”
Another reason for the swiftness of this caucus is to help ensure a smooth transition of leadership.
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David, the longest-serving justice on the Indiana Supreme Court, announced in November 2021 that he will step down from the bench in fall of 2022. Riley will soon apply for that position.
“There are some rules from the judicial nominating commission, which controls the application process,” Riley said. “I have been in touch with the council for the judicial nominating commission and although I don’t have to resign as vice chair, after my application is submitted, I should not make any political decisions. That application is due Feb. 4. The caucus will be before that so I can act as temporary chair when calling the caucus.”
If Riley is selected as one of the three names to go before the governor, his resignation as county GOP vice chair will become more likely. If that were to happen, the new chair will be able to appoint a new vice chair.