Indiana State Rep. Eric Koch is announcing his hopes to move up to the Indiana Senate.
Koch, a Bedford Republican and attorney, says he plans to run for the Senate District 44 seat now held by retiring Republican Sen. Brent Steele. The district covers all or parts of Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Monroe and Lawrence counties. Koch has served in the Indiana House for 14 years representing District 65, which includes parts of Brown County, most of Lawrence County and parts of Monroe, Jackson and Johnson Counties. Until redistricting, the district also included part of Bartholomew County.
Among his legislative achievements, Koch cites the Military Base Protection Act, which he says helped save Crane Naval Base from closure. He was the author of the law that created the Indiana Arts and Cultural District certification program and the legislation authorizing Problem Solving Courts