Bonnet was appointed interim Secretary of State on Feb. 4. He has resigned from the interim role and will return to his previous duties.

Lawson, Majority Floor Leader and a senator since 1996, brings local and state elections experience to the office. Until stepping down from the Indiana Senate today, she was chair of the local government and joint rules committees and has been a champion of local government reform efforts, authoring a bill this year to reduce nepotism and eliminate conflicts of interest. She also spent six years as the chair of the Senate Elections Committee and has continued to serve as a ranking member.

Lawson was clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court from 1989 to 1996. During her tenure, she was named election administrator of the year by the Indiana State Election Board and clerk of the year by the Indiana Clerk’s Association, both in 1993. The Association of Indiana Counties awarded her a similar award in 1996. She also served as president of the Indiana Clerk’s Association and chair of the group’s legislative committee. She and her husband, Jack own Lawson & Company, an auctioneer and real estate company.

Lawson tendered her resignation to Senate Pro Tempore David Long earlier Friday.

“Connie Lawson is the consummate professional: bright, hard-working, dedicated, and of the highest integrity. She is also one of the finest people you will ever meet. She will be an outstanding Secretary of State for the people of Indiana, and will prove to be a very popular choice,” said Long. “We will miss her greatly in the Indiana Senate, where she has been both a valued leader and a respected and trusted colleague. However, our loss is the people’s gain, and we look forward to working closely with her in the ongoing effort to improve the lives of Hoosier families throughout our great state.”

“As a small business owner, state senator, and former county clerk, Connie Lawson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the office of Secretary of State. I have witnessed her in action for more than 20 years,” said Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, who performed a ceremonial swearing in today. “When she assumes a responsibility, her level of performance is outstanding. She will continue to serve with distinction and make Hoosiers proud.”

Ed Simcox, who served as Secretary of State from 1978 to 1986, said of Lawson, “I can’t think of anyone who is better suited than Connie Lawson, by virtue of skills and experience, to assume the duties of the Secretary of State’s office.  Her expertise as a county clerk and as the ranking member of the Senate Elections Committee has ideally prepared her to serve as the state’s chief elections officer.  The Secretary of State’s office has other important regulatory responsibilities over corporations and securities.  Her business background has prepared her to make those functions of the office consumer friendly.  I can also say that Senator Lawson is highly regarded by her Senate colleagues in both the Republican and Democratic ranks.”

Source: Office of Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels