Holli Sullivan Explained

Holli Sullivan
Office:62nd Secretary of State of Indiana
Governor:Eric Holcomb
Term Start:March 16, 2021
Term End:December 31, 2022
Predecessor:Connie Lawson
Successor:Diego Morales
State House1:Indiana
District1:78th
Term Start1:January 4, 2014
Term End1:March 16, 2021
Predecessor1:Suzanne Crouch
Successor1:Tim O'Brien
Party:Republican
Education:University of Missouri (BS)

Holli Sullivan is an American politician, businesswoman, and engineer who served as the 62nd secretary of state of Indiana from 2021 to 2022. As a member of the Republican Party, she also represented the 78th district in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2014 to 2021.

Early life and education

A native of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Sullivan graduated from John H. Castle High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Missouri and took business management courses at Lindenwood University.[1]

Early career

Sullivan began her career in the paint department of General Motors. From 1999 to 2001, she was the assistant manager of quality for Toyota Motor North America.[2] She was an engineering consultant at the Center for Applied Research of the University of Southern Indiana and later owned Onward Consulting.[3]

Indiana House of Representatives

In 2014, the district 78 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives was vacated by Suzanne Crouch, who had been appointed Indiana state auditor. House District 78 contains parts of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties. Portions of Evansville as well as Newburgh and McCutchanville are within the borders of the district. Sullivan was elected to fill the position in a caucus by precinct committeemen. She was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Roads and Transportation. Sullivan was challenged in the 2014 election by Stephen Melcher but defeated him winning 63.8% of the vote. She was challenged in the 2016 election by Philip Bennett but defeated him winning 66.44% of the vote.[4]

In 2017, she co-authored House Bill 1002, which provided for a long term plan for sustaining roads and bridges in Indiana including a phase-in shift of all gas tax to be dedicated to a dedicated infrastructure fund.[5] That same session, she authored a bill which created a strategic plan to reduce cervical cancer.[6]

Indiana Secretary of State

In 2021, Holli was named the 62nd secretary of state of Indiana by Governor Eric Holcomb.[7]

In June 2022, at the Indiana Republican Party's convention to select their candidates for the general election, Sullivan was defeated by Diego Morales in what was considered an upset.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SOS . January 11, 2021 . About the Secretary . April 22, 2022 . SOS . en.
  2. Web site: Martin . John T. . Sullivan touts mission to empower women in politics . April 22, 2022 . Evansville Courier & Press . en-US.
  3. Web site: Holli Sullivan's Biography . April 22, 2022 . Vote Smart.
  4. Web site: Holli Sullivan . April 22, 2022 . Ballotpedia . en.
  5. Web site: House Bill 1002. Indiana General Assembly. January 26, 2017.
  6. Web site: Lange . Kaitlin L. . Rep. Sullivan pushes for cervical cancer education . April 22, 2022 . Evansville Courier & Press . en-US.
  7. Web site: Holli Sullivan named new Indiana Secretary of State. March 16, 2021.
  8. Web site: Smith . Brandon . June 19, 2022 . Diego Morales upsets Secretary of State Holli Sullivan at Indiana GOP convention . June 21, 2022 . WFYI Public Media . en-us.