Battles Leaving Legislature
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowVincennes area State Representative Kreg Battles (D-45) has resigned his seat and will not seek re-election. Battles has been in the House of Representatives since 2006. Before politics, Battles spent more than three decades as an educator at Vincennes Lincoln High School. May 16, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – Kreg Battles of Vincennes, recognized by Statehouse observers as one of the Indiana General Assembly’s most eloquent spokesman on such issues as education reform, announced today that he has resigned as 45th District representative in the Indiana House and will not seek re-election this fall to the seat he has held since 2006.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve House District 45 – and House District 64 before that – and an opportunity for which I will always be grateful,” Battles said.
“But being a legislator is also a very selfish endeavor that forces a person’s family to take a back seat sometimes,” he continued. “With five grandsons becoming more active, I need to have the time to attend their activities. I don’t want them to ever feel that they have taken a back seat to anything. I want them to know they are my first and most important priority.”
As an educator of more than 30 years at Vincennes Lincoln High School, Battles has been a leading voice on issues involving the quality of public schools across our state. During his service in the House, Battles also has gained attention for his common sense views on matters like utility reform, elections and tax policy.
During his time as a state lawmaker, Battles has made his mark in supporting practical options to testing and educational standards, as well as developing curriculum based around the needs of students, rather than bureaucrats. He has worked to establish better career and technical programs for students across Indiana, and played a key role in the establishment of a Vincennes University campus in Gibson County.
Battles also has been known for his advocacy of renewable energy programs and acknowledging the importance of coal as a resource in our state. That stance included support for the SYNGAS plant in Rockport.
“Despite his quiet, unassuming manner, Kreg Battles always has been one of the most influential speakers in the House chamber,” noted House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath from Michigan City. “His words carry weight without bluster, and that means he has been someone that I have relied upon constantly to speak on behalf of the goals that Indiana House Democrats have pursued. His departure is a loss for the people of this state.”
Battles and his wife Susan have two children – Ian and Megan — and five grandsons – Leyton, Cooper, Bennett, Barrett, and Grady.
The 45th House District includes all or part of five separate counties: Daviess, Greene, Knox, Sullivan and Vigo.Source: Indiana House Democrats