Becky Skillman
Encyclopedia
Rebecca S. "Becky" Skillman (born September 26, 1950 in Bedford, Indiana
) is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor
of the State of Indiana
. She is a member of the Republican Party
. She was sworn in on January 10, 2005.
, Lawrence County
, Indiana. An alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University, she began her career in politics in 1977 when she was elected to the office of Lawrence County Recorder. Eight years later she was elected as County Clerk.
, Monroe
, Jackson
, Washington
, and Orange
Counties. Rising quickly through the leadership, she became Majority Caucus Chair, the first woman in history to serve in the Senate Republican leadership.
selected Skillman to be his running mate during the 2004 election. The ticket was elected over incumbent Governor Joe Kernan and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis
and she took office in January.
Now, serving as Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, Becky Skillman is responsible for shepherding Governor Mitch Daniels's Administration's legislative agenda through the Indiana General Assembly
and serves as President of the Senate.
In addition to her legislative responsibilities, Skillman also oversees the Office of Tourism Development, Energy Group and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. She chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council, the intergovernmental entity responsible for homeland security. She also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development under the state's Department of Agriculture and Office of Rural Affairs.
Skillman served as President of the Association of Indiana Counties. During her 12 years in the Senate, she led the charge to include the state's small towns and rural communities in its economic development agenda. There, she authored plans for development in distressed counties and revitalization of downtown areas.
.
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
) is the 49th and current Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
The Lieutenant Governor of Indiana is a constitutional office in the US State of Indiana. Republican Becky Skillman, whose term expires in January 2013, is the incumbent...
of the State of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. She is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. She was sworn in on January 10, 2005.
Early life and career
Skillman is a native of BedfordBedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
, Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,922 people, 18,535 households, and 13,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 20,560 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Indiana. An alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University, she began her career in politics in 1977 when she was elected to the office of Lawrence County Recorder. Eight years later she was elected as County Clerk.
State senate
In 1992 Skillman was elected to the Indiana State Senate, where she represented LawrenceLawrence County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,922 people, 18,535 households, and 13,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 20,560 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
, Monroe
Monroe County, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 137,974 people, 46,898 households, and 24,715 families residing in the county. The population density was 306 people per square mile . There were 50,846 housing units at an average density of 129 per square mile...
, Jackson
Jackson County, Indiana
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 42,376. The county seat is Brownstown.-History:...
, Washington
Washington County, Indiana
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 28,262. The county seat is Salem.Washington County is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Early settlers:...
, and Orange
Orange County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,306 people, 7,621 households, and 5,342 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 people per square mile . There were 8,348 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
Counties. Rising quickly through the leadership, she became Majority Caucus Chair, the first woman in history to serve in the Senate Republican leadership.
Lieutenant governor
Mitch DanielsMitch Daniels
Mitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
selected Skillman to be his running mate during the 2004 election. The ticket was elected over incumbent Governor Joe Kernan and incumbent Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis
Kathy Davis
Katherine L. Davis was the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, and the first woman to serve in that office.-Biography:...
and she took office in January.
Now, serving as Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, Becky Skillman is responsible for shepherding Governor Mitch Daniels's Administration's legislative agenda through the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
and serves as President of the Senate.
In addition to her legislative responsibilities, Skillman also oversees the Office of Tourism Development, Energy Group and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. She chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council, the intergovernmental entity responsible for homeland security. She also serves as the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development under the state's Department of Agriculture and Office of Rural Affairs.
Skillman served as President of the Association of Indiana Counties. During her 12 years in the Senate, she led the charge to include the state's small towns and rural communities in its economic development agenda. There, she authored plans for development in distressed counties and revitalization of downtown areas.
2012 election
Skillman had considered a run for Indiana Governor in 2012 but announced she would not due to a minor medical condition.Personal life
Skillman and her husband Steve have a son, Aaron. Skillman is a member of the Church of Christ. In August 2010 Skillman earned an associate's degree in business from Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
.