Connie Lawson


Connie Lawson is the 61st Indiana Secretary of State. A Republican, Lawson is a former member of the Indiana Senate where she served as Majority Floor Leader.

Early life, education, and career

Lawson was born and raised in Danville, located in Hendricks County in central Indiana. She graduated from Danville High School. She attended Darden School of Legislative Leadership and in 1998 she went to Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership.
Lawson was elected Clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court in 1988. She was subsequently reelected twice to four-year terms As clerk, her responsibilities included maintaining all records of the court and overseeing elections. During this period, Lawson was also president of the Indiana Clerks’ Association and chair of the group’s legislative committee. She also served as Vice Chair of the Hendricks County Republican Party from 1995 to 2005.

State Senate

Lawson was a member of the Indiana Senate from 1996 to 2012. She replaced incumbent State Senator Richard Thompson. She was the first woman appointed to the post of Indiana Senate Majority Floor Leader. The American Conservative Union gave her an Indiana Legislature evaluation of 93%.
Indiana State Senate 24th District Election Results, November 2, 2004
CandidateAffiliationSupportOutcome
Connie Lawson Republican44,783100.0%

Indiana State Senate 24th District Republican Primary Election Results, May 6, 2008
CandidateAffiliationSupportOutcome
Connie Lawson Republican10,60279.2%
John GooteeRepublican2,77820.8%

Indiana State Senate 24th District Election Results, November 4, 2008
CandidateAffiliationSupportOutcome
Connie Lawson Republican53,188100.0%

Secretary of State

On March 16, 2012, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed Lawson Secretary of State.
Indiana Secretary of State Election Results, November 4, 2014
CandidateAffiliationSupportOutcome
Connie LawsonRepublican762,22357.1%
Elizabeth WhiteDemocratic527,37939.5%
Karl TatgenhorstLibertarian45,3933.4%

2018 Secretary of State Election Eligibility

In the Summer of 2018, Lawson received two challenges to her eligibility as Candidate for Secretary of State of Indiana. The challenges stemmed from the Indiana Constitution's provision that states no person shall be eligible for "more than eight years in any period of twelve years." Both eligibility claims were dismissed, but questions still exist over her ability to finish the entire term if re-elected in 2018. She was reelected.

Personal

Connie Lawson is married to Jack Lawson, has two children Brandon and Kylie, and seven grandchildren. She and her husband own and operate Lawson & Company, an auctioneer and real estate business.