Maxwell wins Senate District 43 caucus

State Senator-elect Randy Maxwell (right) is congratulated by Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Anne Hathaway following his election at a state GOP caucus Tuesday night in Dillsboro. (Provided Photo)

(Dillsboro, IN) – Randy Maxwell is the new State Senator-elect in District 43.

Maxwell received 56 out of 80 votes at Tuesday night’s Indiana Republican Party caucus at the Dillsboro Civic Club and will replace Chip Perfect, who announced his resignation last month.

Perfect cited the growing pressures of balancing his legislative duties with business, family, and personal obligations as his reasons for stepping down after representing Senate District 43 for nearly nine years.

His resignation takes effect on September 26.

Maxwell was endorsed by Perfect and received the nod over two other candidates. Samuel Mortenson received 17 votes while Joseph Volk garnered 7.

Maxwell is the CEO of Greendale-based Maxwell Construction and will represent Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Jefferson, and Scott counties and portions of Jennings County at the Statehouse.

The unexpired term runs through 2026.

“Congratulations to Randy on his victory tonight to become Indiana’s newest State Senator,” said Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Anne Hathaway. “Randy will be a strong voice for the 43rd District, and we look forward to him joining the rest of the Republican caucus at the statehouse to continue the work of delivering results for all Hoosiers.”

This is the second Statehouse vacancy created this year by a Southeastern Indiana lawmaker’s resignation.

Randy Frye stepped down as State Representative in House District 67 in July.

Alex Zimmerman (R-North Vernon) was elected as Frye’s replacement at a GOP caucus in Versailles later that month to serve the unexpired term, which runs through November 2024.