Lawson Selected House Democratic Floor Leader

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana House Democrats have selected State Rep. Linda Lawson (D-Hammond) to serve again as Democratic Floor Leader during the 2015-16 sessions of the Indiana General Assembly.

In that post, Lawson – who has served in the House since 1998 – will assist House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath from Michigan City in setting caucus policies and directing debate on issues during House floor sessions. Lawson was first selected for her current post in 2012.

“I consider Linda one of my closest advisors and I have come to depend on her wisdom and common sense to help House Democrats speak out on behalf of the people of Indiana,” Pelath said. “I am honored to have her beside me in the Indiana House.”

Lawson, a graduate of Gavit High School, has been a long-time member of the Hammond community. She attended Indiana University Northwest. She was the first female police officer for the Hammond Police Department and went on to retire at the rank of captain. During her 24 years for the department, she worked as a patrol officer and with the sex crimes and domestic violence divisions, where she gained a great deal of knowledge and experience.

Lawson has also served as a member of the Hammond School Board for 12 years.

Lawson represents Indiana House District 1, which encompasses most of Hammond and all of Whiting. She has served as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and on such legislative committees as Environmental Affairs, Courts & Criminal Code, Family Affairs, Education, and Labor.

Representative Lawson has been involved in many pieces of crucial domestic violence legislation in her career at the Statehouse. She has served on numerous boards and in organizations such as Haven House (a women’s shelter in Lake County), the Hammond Historical Society Board, the Robertsdale/Whiting Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, the Humane Society of the Calumet Area, and the Boys & Girls Club.

Lawsonhas two grown daughters and a very special granddaughter, Genavive. She was married to the late Jim Hornak.