Ryan Hatfield announces run for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court judge

EVANSVILLE — State Rep. Ryan Hatfield announced Thursday he would not seek re-election to the Indiana House of Representatives, but will instead run for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge.

The circuit court judge position will be open after current Judge David Kiely announced Wednesday he would not seek reelection.

Hatfield is currently the House assistant minority leader and a local attorney. He serves as the ranking minority member of the Indiana House Judiciary and Employment, Labor and Pensions committees. He is also a member of the Public Health and Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications committees.

Along with his statement announcing his intention to seek the judgeship, Hatfield shared a list of more than 70 local attorneys in support of his candidacy.

“Serving the people of Evansville as their state representative in the Indiana General Assembly hasbeen one of the great honors of my life," Hatfield said. "I want to thank the constituents of House District 77 for allowing me to be their voice at the Statehouse since 2016."

Hatfield said serving as circuit court judge offers a chance to contribute directly to the "fair and just resolution" of local legal matters.

"This decision to run for Judge is deeply personal for me, driven by a profound commitment to fostering a legal system in Vanderburgh County that reflects the values and needs of our community," he said.

Hatfield previously served as a deputy prosecutor in Vanderburgh County. According to the news release, he secured one of Indiana’s first convictions alleging Munchausen Syndrome by proxy.

Hatfield and his wife, Kendra, a nurse and supervisor at St. Vincent’s Evansville, have three children.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Ryan Hatfield announces run for Vanderburgh County Circuit Court judge