A state legislator from Salem who would have represented part of Bartholomew County under a new redistricting proposal has lost his battle with cancer.
Rep. Steve Davisson, R-Salem, who represented House District 73 since 2010, died Sunday at the age of 63 “after a long and courageous battle with cancer,” said House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, in a statement.
District 73 currently includes all of Washington County, as well as parts of Jackson, Orange, Lawrence, Clark and Harrison counties.
However, Indiana House Republicans last week proposed redrawing Davisson’s district to include the eastern half of Bartholomew County — including Flat Rock, Haw Creek, Clay, Clifty, Rock Creek and Sand Creek Townships — as well as portions of Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Nearly all of that part of Bartholomew County is currently in District 57, represented by Republican Sean Eberhart. Sand Creek Township is currently split between Districts 59 and 69, represented by Republicans Ryan Lauer and Jim Lucas, respectively.
The proposed district lines are still pending approval of the House, which is expected to vote on the maps on Thursday.
“Steve Davisson lived an extraordinary life of love, courage and service,” Huston said in the statement. “While short in stature, Steve was a giant of a man in service to his family, community and state. He lived his life full of love and optimism, which made him such a blessing to know. Steve will be greatly missed by me and everyone who had the privilege to know him.”
Davisson served as the vice chair of the House Committee on Public Health, and as a member of both the Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee, and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.
In August, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb awarded Davisson the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, one of the state’s highest honors.
Several Republican lawmakers in Indiana have paid tribute to Davisson, including Holcomb and Lauer.
“My good friend Steve Davisson was a good friend to anyone that met him, and for that, we’re all fortunate and mourn his loss,” Holcomb said in a statement. “As a man of faith, family and community, Rep. Davisson was a model citizen legislator, daily carrying out the duties that made him an obvious Sagamore of the Wabash. His ability to take on tough and complex issues with common sense and that famous smile was a gift from above. Janet and I will keep his wife, children and many grandchildren in our prayers as they find peace for such an unimaginable loss for their family, loved ones and his constituents that were so honored to have him represent them over all these years in our Statehouse.”
Lauer described Davisson as a “kind and thoughtful legislator” with a “great sense of humor.”
“With great sadness, I learned my friend and colleague Rep. Steve Davisson of Salem has passed after a battle with cancer,” Lauer said in a tweet. “He was a kind and thoughtful legislator with a great sense of humor and strong in faith who taught me a great deal. Please keep his family in your prayers.”
Before starting his career as a pharmacist in Salem, Davisson earned two degrees from Purdue University. He held an Indiana Board of Pharmacy license since 1981. Davisson grew up in Scott County and graduated from Scottsburg Senior High School in 1976.
Davisson and his wife, Michelle, have resided in Salem since 1983. They have five adult children and several grandchildren.
