Taylor announces his resignation as 7th District State Representative

INDIANAPOLIS - Joe Taylor of South Bend announced today that he has resigned his position as state representative of the 7th Indiana House District, effective immediately.

Taylor, who was first elected to the House in 2016 and was re-elected in November, said he was giving up his post to accept a job with the United Auto Workers International Union.

“This new position provides a life-changing opportunity for me to provide for my family, and I simply could not pass it up,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, it will require my full attention, and there is the potential we will have to move out of state in the very near future, so I will have to resign as state representative.

“I cannot tell you how much of a privilege it has been to serve in the Indiana House,” he continued. “My commitment in my life has been to do everything in my power to improve the lives of all I am fortunate enough to represent, both in my work with the local UAW and as a state representative.

“The greatest joy I will retain from my time in government was the ability to meet with my constituents and to help them solve their problems. There is no higher calling than public service, and it was a genuine honor to serve the people of South Bend, St. Joseph County, and Indiana. As I move into the next phase of my life, I would encourage all to never pass up the chance to serve others,” Taylor said.

During his time in the Legislature, Taylor focused on workers’ rights, addressing the needs of Indiana veterans, requiring transparency for the cost of prescription drugs, and helping students stay on track to graduate.

He was the ranking Democrat on the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee, and served on three other committees: Family, Children and Human Affairs; Government Reduction; and Roads and Transportation.

Back home in St. Joseph County, Taylor is a third-generation auto worker at AM General and has spent the past 23 years serving in many different leadership positions within UAW-Local 5. He has served as president of UAW-Local 5 since 2011.

Taylor grew up in a military family and spent time as a child living in Germany. He majored in labor studies at Indiana University South Bend. He and his wife have six children and eight grandchildren.