State Rep. Stevenson won’t run for re-election

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Stephanie Dowell/Post-Tribune State Representative Dan Stevenson is photographed September 22, 2006 at Bean Counters in Highland. Stevenson found out he has multiple schlerosis (MS) the day before severe rains and flooding hit his district.

Updated: February 29, 2012 8:03AM

INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Dan Stevenson, D-Highland, announced Friday he will not seek re-election.

Last year’s redistricting in response to the 2010 census placed Stevenson and state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, in the same House district. Candelaria Reardon has already filed to run for the District 12 seat in May’s Democratic primary.

Stevenson was first elected to serve the House in 1994, and he said in a statement released on Friday morning the decision was bittersweet.

“It is an honor and a privilege serving the hard-working families of Northwest Indiana and I have enjoyed representing them in the General Assembly,” Stevenson said. “Had I decided to seek re-election, I am confident I would have been successful. Unfortunately, I have become increasingly disgusted with a process that has become more bitter and partisan over the past several years.”

Stevenson said redistricting was not a factor in his decision, and he will support Candelaria Reardon in her re-election bid.

“We are going to be as a body losing a very important contributing member,” Candelaria Reardon said. “ I’m very proud and humbled by the support he’s thrown to my campaign.”