Danny Lopez of Carmel, Alaina Shonkwiler of Noblesville, and Hunter Smith of Zionsville took the oath of office today to serve as state representatives for House Districts 39, 29, and 24, respectively.
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush administered the oath to all House lawmakers during a swearing-in ceremony in the House Chamber at the Statehouse during Organization Day, which marked the formal start to the 2025 legislative session.
“Carmel and Westfield, like all of Hamilton County, play such a critical role in driving our state forward, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to represent these communities in the General Assembly,” Lopez said. “I can’t wait to tackle the issues that are most important to Indiana’s future this session and beyond.”
Lopez is Executive Vice President for Community and External Affairs and Corporate Communications at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. He previously served as Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President at Strada Education Network, and he held several senior roles in the administrations of Governors Eric Holcomb, Mike Pence, and Mitch Daniels.
Lopez received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and earned a master’s degree from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Sofia, live in Carmel with their two children.
Shonkwiler is a business development associate with Garmong Construction and previously served as a manager in government consulting with Katz, Sapper & Miller. She also worked as the district director for U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz.
“I’m looking forward to representing and supporting the Hoosiers of House District 29,” Shonkwiler said. “This session, I will work with my fellow lawmakers to pass a responsible budget that funds our priorities and ensures we continue on a path of fiscal responsibility.”
Shonkwiler graduated from Noblesville High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington in public affairs management. She is also a graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute and a graduate of Ball State University’s Economic Development and Community Development courses. She lives in Noblesville with her husband, Jason, and their two children.
Smith is the owner and operator of WonderTree Farm, which focuses on regenerative farming practices, and is a former NFL punter for the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins.
“I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve my community at the state level,” Smith said. “My goal is to represent the voices and values of House District 24 while supporting agricultural and environmental policies that make our state the best place to work and call home.”
Smith graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and lives in Zionsville with his wife, Jen, and their four children.
Constituents can reach Lopez, Shonkwiler and Smith by calling (317) 232-9600 or visiting their webpages found at indianahouserepublicans.com.