Indiana Republican state Rep. Ann Vermilion, who often voted against her own party, leaves office

Indiana state Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion), who often broke ranks with her party to oppose far-right legislation, announced on Facebook last week that she handed in her letter of resignation.

Vermilion sent in her letter last Friday, the last day of the legislative session, with her resignation going into effect Monday. In the letter, she cited being present for her family as the reason for her resignation.

“Unequivocally, the decision to leave public office was made without hesitation, with utter peace and anticipation of our family’s personal endeavors,” Vermillion wrote. “Nearly all of my family members will be enjoying pinnacle stages in life’s journey; scholastically, athletically, professionally and I am thrilled to walk alongside them, supporting them in these upcoming months, years and lifetimes.”

Over the past few years, Vermilion has broken from her party on several occasions, most notably when the Indiana Assembly passed a near total abortion ban last summer. Although the ban was subsequently blocked by state Judge Kelsey Hanlon, Vermilion condemned her colleagues when it was first passed.

“I think that the Lord’s promise is for grace and kindness. He would not be jumping to condemn these women,” Vermilion said after fellow Republicans described women who get abortions as “murderers.”

Vermilion has a background in health care, and she served as an administrator at the Marion General Hospital before she founded a health care consulting business in 1997. In addition to not supporting the abortion ban, Vermilion voted against a bill that banned gender-affirming care for minors.

Despite her efforts, Vermilion couldn’t stop the GOP from passing much of their controversial legislation because of supermajorities in the state House (70 Republicans to 30 Democrats) and Senate (40-10). Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) said in a statement that he is proud of this year’s session, which saw the passage of the expansion of the school voucher program and increased funding for tuition support. However, the tuition support funding was diverted from the state’s teacher retirement fund. Lawmakers were also supposed to increase teacher pay, but instead decided to slash their retirement account.

Republicans will now have the power to fill the vacancy left by Vermilion, who was herself appointed to her seat in 2019. Although she cited family matters, Vermilion’s resignation follows a recent pattern of Republicans finding themselves out of their government jobs when they vote against their own party. This list includes former U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (IL) and Liz Cheney (WY).