Politics
Ron Alting says he will leave Indiana Senate if reelected as medical evaluation continues
The Republican state senator says he is stepping away from public office to focus on his health and family after allegations involving shoplifting incidents. His name will remain on the ballot, and party precinct committeemen would choose a successor if he wins reelection and resigns.
Indiana state Sen. Ron Alting said Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he plans to resign and devote his attention to his health and family, following allegations of shoplifting incidents in Lafayette, Monticello and Florida.
Alting said he has been undergoing medical evaluations in recent weeks for changes in his judgment, behavior and cognitive functioning. He said the evaluations have involved specialists in neurology, geriatrics and mental health, along with an MRI and other tests, and that doctors are still seeking a diagnosis.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Alting said he had done things that were “wrong and completely out of character” and took responsibility for his actions. He apologized to his family, friends, colleagues, constituents and the store employees involved.
Alting, a Republican who first won election to the Senate in 1998, said he had informed Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray of his decision. His name will remain on the ballot because voting in this year’s election is underway. A spokesperson for Senate Republicans said Alting had told Bray he intends to resign if reelected.
If Alting wins and then steps down, Republican precinct committeemen in Senate District 22 will select his replacement through the party’s vacancy process. The district includes all of Carroll County and much of Tippecanoe County.
Tippecanoe County Republican Party Chair Tracy Brown said he was shocked by developments over the previous two weeks. Brown said the behavior described was unlike the Alting he had known and that he hoped the senator would be well physically and mentally.