Hershman set as majority floor leader

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Senator Brandt Hershman will be taking on new responsibilities in the Indiana General Assembly as the Senate Majority Floor Leader.

State Senator Brandt Hershman represents a large area of Tippecanoe, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Jasper and White Counties. He will now be taking on the role of Senate Majority Floor Leader, a position that will allow him to help set the legislative agenda for the entire Senate. It's a job that will not only make him one of the highest ranking senate Republicans..  but also give him a chance to shed the spotlight on issues important to his constituents.

"Obviously the position, it represents the entire state of Indiana, in as much as the senate represents the state of Indiana. But it's also an opportunity to help advocate on behalf of interests in my own district that are important," said Hershman.

Tippecanoe County Democratic Chair Heather Maddox said she was able to work collaboratively with Hershman's predecessor, Connie Lawson, on several pieces of legislation. Though Maddox said in the past Hershman has never been a swing vote for democrats she hopes he will work well with senate democrats as Lawson did before him.

"I do think we have a good strong reputation in this county of trying to work together to try to get things done. So hopefully we'll see that with senator Hershman," said Maddox.

Senator Hershman says while his first job is advocating for the issues Republicans want to see on the floor, he's also happy to consider working across the aisle.

"No one has a lock on all the right answers, obviously there has to be good bipartisan cooperation if you want to move the state forward. And the senate has had a pretty good history of working together collaboratively," said Hershman.

Hershman's promotion is effective immediately, and he will still retain his seat as chair of the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy.