Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton)

Speaker of the House Todd Huston (R-Fishers) has selected a new chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. A member since 1998, Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) will succeed Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) as the top fiscal leader in the House of Representatives. The appointment takes immediate effect, and Rep. Thompson will participate as the newest member of the State Budget Committee in hearings for the 2023-2025 budget.

A farmer and educator, Thompson taught chemistry, physics and math for 30 years before retiring from Danville Community High School. His experience as an educator has been invaluable in developing the state school funding formula as chairman of the K-12 Subcommittee of Ways and Means, a post he has held since 2003.

Thompson’s father also served in the General Assembly, both as a member of the House and Senate. While their terms of service did not overlap, the elder Thompson served for six years in the House before being elected to the Senate where he served for 12 years.

The selection of Rep. Thompson may come as a surprise to many. Thompson was not among the half dozen legislators who were rumored to succeed Chairman Brown. Nevertheless, after earning a 13th term in November, he will be among the 12 most tenured members of the 123rd General Assembly. Rep. Thompson’s experience as a legislator, especially as a longtime member of the Ways and Means committee, will serve him well in his new post.

Not particularly loquacious, Thompson is a serious lawmaker with a humble demeanor and a tendency for “wonkishness.” If anything, this is a signal from Speaker Huston and his leadership team that the model of leadership Chairman Brown has exhibited for 10 years has served House Republicans well and should continue. Regardless, large questions loom about how the new chairman will approach the weighty issues that will confront the 24-person panel he now leads.

Thompson’s 2022 Legislative Vote Score with the Indiana Chamber was 79% in 2022 and his four-year aggregate score is 86%.

Resource: David Ober at (317) 264-6887 or email: dober@indianachamber.com