House Speaker Brian Bosma to retire from Legislature at end of 2020 session

House Speaker Brian Bosma announced Tuesday afternoon he’ll step down at the end of the 2020 legislative session — likely in March — and won’t seek re-election as he takes a new position in Republican politics.

Bosma made the announcement during Organization Day, the ceremonial start of the 2020 session. He told lawmakers he will take over as the national chairman of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee.

The Republican caucus will meet in the next two weeks to choose a speaker-elect, whom Bosma has pledged to work with this session to show him or her “every bit of the job.”

The 2020 session will mark Bosma’s 34th as a lawmaker. He was first elected in 1986 and has served two stints as House speaker, a role he’s most recently held since 2010. He represents the northeast portion of Marion County and parts of Hamilton and Hancock counties.

“This is a remarkable place,” he said. “Now, I may have changed my mind at the end of the session, but this is a remarkable place where we get along. We may disagree. We may disagree very strongly, but we cast a vote and move on to the next one.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement that Bosma’s phone number will remain on his speed dial as a trusted friend.

“So many know Brian Bosma for his contributions of unparalleled consequence at a time when our state needed strength in the Speaker’s chair. Others know him for his incredible capacity to give to causes serving those most in need,” Holcomb said. “Speaker Bosma’s the type of state leader you don’t replace, you only follow.”

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane thanked Bosma “for over three decades of public service.”

“While we may not have always agreed on the issues, I have enjoyed working with him in leadership as we have always fought respectably to make the best path forward for Indiana,” Lanane said in a statement. “I wish him all the best on his future endeavors.”