FORMER STATE REP. RYAN HATFIELD HONORED BY MEMBERS OF THE INDIANA HOUSE

Two lawmakers transitioning to careers outside the Indiana General Assembly received tributes from their colleagues Monday in sessions otherwise largely devoted to housekeeping matters.

Former Sen. Jon Ford, R-Terre Haute, received the Sagamore of the Wabash award during the Senate’s afternoon meeting.

The Sagamore of the Wabash is considered Indiana’s highest honor—“a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor,” according to IN.gov.

Ford represented Senate District 38, which includes Vigo County and the upper portion of Clay County, from his election in 2014 to 2023. Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, has replaced Ford, who resigned to lead the trade association Reliable Energy.

Several colleagues rose to praise Ford, who served on several key committees, including Elections, Family and Children’s Services, and Homeland Security.

“Indiana State University [in Terre Haute] serves predominantly first-generation college students, many of whom are taking advantage of this one wonderful, generous program, the 21st Century Scholars Program and Ford never lost sight of that and always saw something in every one of those Sycamores, who he believed had something great to offer,” said Goode.

Over in the House, members of the Democratic caucus shared stories about Rep. Ryan Hatfield, D-Evansville, who has served since 2016. Hatfield is not running for re-election for his House seat, instead running for circuit court judge of Vanderburgh County this fall.

“He knows issues deeply. The word genius gets used far too often today, and Ryan assures me it’s OK to do it today,” said Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis. “He’s brilliant but still curious. He’s willing to be wrong, willing to be convinced to have the debate in the argument, which is pretty rare, especially in our line of work.”

Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, said he has a nickname for Hatfield when he agrees and disagrees with him on issues.

“When I agree with him, I call him Matlock. When I don’t agree with him, I call him Rep. Hatfield. Most of the time, he’s Matlock,” Porter said.

Hatfield serves as assistant leader for the House Democrats and ranking minority member of the House Judiciary and Employment Committee and Labor and Pensions Committee.