By Marilyn Odendahl
The Indiana Citizen
October 22, 2025
Randy Novak, former chief of the Michigan City Fire Department and president of the LaPorte County Council, was sworn in on Wednesday as the state representative for Indiana House District 9, filling the seat previously held by Rep. Pat Boy.
Novak, D-Michigan City, was given the oath of office in the Indiana House Chamber by Indiana Supreme Court Justice Mark Massa.
“My pledge to the people of District 9 is simple: I will continue to work hard, with an informed and common-sense approach, to provide the highest level of service at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers,” Novak said in a statement after his swearing-in ceremony. “I will always be a voice of reason, fiscally responsible and committed to progress for the people I serve.”
Novak was elected to the Indiana General Assembly by precinct committee members in a Democratic Party caucus on Oct. 18 in Michigan City. He will replace Boy, who retired from the legislature on Oct. 17, and serve the remainder of her term, which ends in November 2026.
According to Lakeshore Public Media, Novak ran unopposed in the caucus and was endorsed by Boy as her successor in the Statehouse. Local Democrats will hold another caucus within the next 30 days to fill Novak’s now-vacant seat on the county council, Hometown News reported.
After Saturday’s caucus vote, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian thanked Novak for his willingness to serve.
“He’s been a champion for labor and our working families throughout his time on the County Council, and he will bring that same commitment to service with him in Indianapolis,” Tallian said of Novak in her statement, highlighting his 33 years of service in the Michigan City Fire Department. “We are excited for the impact he will make from day one on supporting labor, public safety and public schools.”
Tallian also recognized Boy’s years of service. Boy announced in early October that she had made the “bittersweet decision” to step down from the legislature after three terms to spend more time with her family.
“Rep. Pat Boy has been a critical part of the fights for a clean Indiana environment, for better workers’ wages, and for affordable health care for Hoosiers her entire career,” Tallian said. “She has been a successful and valuable member of our Indiana House Democratic Caucus and our party who will be missed.”
The Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana congratulated Novak in a Facebook post after the caucus vote. The organization noted Novak has served as president of the Michigan City Fire Local 475 and was in his 11th year as a county councilman.
“We look forward to working with Representative Novak in his new role in the Indiana House of Representatives,” the PFFUI said. “His experience and knowledge of responding to emergencies and developing public policy will serve his constituency and all Hoosiers.”
Currently, Novak serves on the LaPorte County 911 Advisory Board and as chair of the LaPorte County Fire Chiefs Association. Also, Novak has some experience in the legislature having served as a lay member on the General Assembly’s Pension Management Oversight Commission.
A graduate of Rogers High School, Novak continued his studies at Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue North Central and the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, earning numerous professional certifications in public safety.
Novak and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 46 years and have two sons and four grandchildren.
“Public service has been my life’s passion,” Novak said Wednesday. “From my years as a firefighter and fire chief to my time on the LaPorte County Council, I’ve always believed in working hard, staying accountable and putting people first. I’m proud to call LaPorte County home, and I’m committed to representing our community with integrity, transparency and a common-sense approach.”
Dwight Adams, an editor and writer based in Indianapolis, edited this article. He is a former content editor, copy editor and digital producer at The Indianapolis Star and IndyStar.com, and worked as a planner for other newspapers, including the Louisville Courier Journal.
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
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