State Rep. Cleo Duncan will not seek a ninth term in the Indiana General Assembly.

The Greensburg resident met with supporters at the Batesville McDonald’s Nov. 9 to make the announcement. “After a lot of prayer and talking with my family,” she says her decision was made.

“I have been blessed to serve the people in this district for the last 15 years. I have been a part of many great things that have happened in Indiana and feel it is time for others to participate.

“When I first decided to run for the General Assembly, I truly wanted to do it to help people. I feel that I have always held to that principle and have kept the interests of the people in southeastern Indiana first and foremost. I have not made the decision to retire lightly,” she stressed.

“I plan to spend more time with my family and on other pursuits that will continue my mission to serve our district and Indiana.” She will complete her eighth term, which continues through 2010.

“Cleo will be very hard to replace in the work she has done,” reported Don Dickey, Batesville, Ripley County Republican Central Committee vice chairman. “She has been very loyal to us in Ripley County .... She’s just a good person.”

The Republican has represented Hoosiers in the 67th District (Decatur, Ripley, Rush and Franklin counties) since 1994. Among her accomplishments, she sites several highlights, including Move Over Slow Down, helping to advance southeastern Indiana distance learning initiatives and authoring many laws to help individuals with autism and their families.

She was also instrumental in forming the Vernon Fork Water District, co-authoring Indiana’s Major Moves Law and helping facilitate the attraction of the Greensburg Honda plant to the area, according to a press release.

Duncan served on the House Roads and Transportation Committee and was its first female chair. She was also on other committees, including Financial Institutions, Autism Commission, Homeland Security and many transportation-related panels. She worked to advance the cause of women in government.

Prior to being elected, Duncan served on the Greensburg City Council and in other volunteer organizations within her community. She and husband John have three daughters and five grandchildren.