Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford, center) is sworn into the Indiana Senate by Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush (right) at the Statehouse. (photo courtesy of Indiana Senate Republicans)
The Indiana Citizen
September 29, 2023
The newest member of the Indiana Senate, Randy Maxwell, was sworn into office Thursday, filling the seat vacated by Sen. Chip Perfect, R-Lawrenceburg, who resigned Sept. 26.
Maxwell, R-Guilford, was elected for the seat with 56 of the 80 votes cast in the Republican Party caucus on Sept. 12 in Dillsboro. Perfect had endorsed Maxwell, describing him as a “likable guy” and saying his knowledge of running a business and finances will serve him well in the Statehouse.
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush administered the oath to Maxwell in the Senate chamber. Maxwell, who will finish the remaining three years of Perfect’s term, will represent Senate District 43 which includes Dearborn, Jefferson, Ohio, Scott and Switzerland counties and southern Jennings County.
“I am honored to have been chosen to represent Senate District 43,” Maxwell said. “I am ready to give more time and commitment back to our communities and look forward to proudly serving Hoosiers at the Statehouse.”
A graduate of Indiana University with degrees in finance-real estate and entrepreneurship, Maxwell is the CEO of Maxwell Construction, his family-owned southeast Indiana general contractor and development company. He also has been active in the Dearborn County Homebuilders Association, Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, the Batesville Chamber of Commerce and the One Dearborn economic development organization.
Maxwell has never held elected office, but he has served the state. In 2007, he was appointed by then-Gov. Mitch Daniels to the Indiana Unemployment Insurance Board.
“It was fun,” he told The Indiana Citizen after the caucus vote. He said the board did not make consequential legislative decisions, “but it was great to be exposed to how it works.”
Maxwell grew up in Logan and married his high school sweetheart, Robin. They have three children.
“With decades of community involvement and service to speak for, my roots run deep in southeast Indiana,” Maxwell said in a press release. “This is why I stand ready to represent our communities’ values at the Statehouse and see what more can be done to help our communities grow.”
When the 2024 legislative session begins in January, Maxwell will be one of a growing class of new legislators who were caucused in to office during 2023. Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves, R-Marion, was also elected by caucus to fill the House District 31 seat of Rep. Ann Vermilion, who resigned, and Rep. Alex Zimmerman, R-North Vernon, replaced Rep. Randy Frye in House District 67.
A caucus to replace Sen. Jon Ford, R-Terre Haute, will be held Oct. 7. Also, the unexpected death of Sen. Jack Sandlin, R-Indianapolis, has opened up another Republican seat in the Indiana Senate.
Maxwell was confident that even though he is arriving to the Senate on the strength of just 56 caucus votes, he will gain broader support among his constituents.
“I plan on being very active in the district and gaining the support of the folks that maybe don’t even know me yet and representing their best interests in Indy,” Maxwell said after the caucus vote.
Dwight Adams, a freelance 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.
