Mitchell was sworn in this morning in a private ceremony at the statehouse, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
Mitchell will replace Daniel Huge, who was appointed to the interim position Aug. 29 following the resignation of former Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
“Kelly Mitchell was the people’s choice for Indiana Treasurer of State, and I am grateful that she is willing to assume the duties of this office early and begin what will be a distinguished tenure of service for the people of Indiana,” Pence said in the release.
Mitchell ran against Democrat Mike Boland and Libertarian Mike Jasper in the Treasurer’s race in the midterm elections earlier this month.
Prior to serving as Treasurer of State, Mitchell worked for six years as the director of TrustINdiana in the Treasurer’s office. She left that position to focus more on her campaign.
Huge’s appointment was temporary. He was appointed to serve until Dec. 31, until Pence could appoint someone to serve.
Huge also serves as chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the Indiana Finance Authority.
“Dan Huge brought 30 years of financial, accounting and audit experience to the table and served Hoosiers well as Treasurer of State for nearly three months,” Pence said. “On behalf of Indiana, I thank Dan for his devoted service as demonstrated throughout his time in this role.”
Mourdock was elected to the position in 2007 and left in the middle of his second term, according to a previous report by the Indiana Daily Student.
At the time, the Indianapolis Star reported that sources close to Mourdock said his early retirement was motivated by the possibility of receiving lower payouts following his retirement.
He left office on the last day retirees would receive a 7.5 percent annuity rate, as anyone retiring in Sept. 2014 or later would receive a 5.75 percent rate.
Though results are not listed as final, the office of the Secretary of State has Mitchell listed as receiving 771,144 votes in the Nov. 4 midterm election, compared to Boland’s 490,025 and Jasper’s 63,685.
Republicans swept the statewide elections, with incumbents Suzanne Crouch and Connie Lawson both winning reelection for the positions of Auditor of State and Secretary of State, ?respectively.
A full list of elections results can be found at ? www.in.gov/sos/elections .
Holly Hays
