INDIANAPOLIS – Every two years since 1972, Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, has been elected to the Indiana House – usually without any opposition.

But this year he won’t be on the ballot, announcing to The Journal Gazette on Friday he won’t seek re-election after a 40-year legislative career.

“I have worked hard and tried to lead well. I hope I have succeeded in the minds and hearts of my constituents,” Espich said. “But, in fact, it has been an easy task to act in their interests. This is because I share their belief in the importance of faith and traditional American values in our lives and society. I have never had to compromise my actions or act in ways that were not in support of the thoughts of my neighbors.”

Friday was the filing deadline to run in a newly drawn House District 50 seat against incumbent Rep. Dan Leonard, R-Huntington.

Espich is one of seven Republicans and 12 Democrats in the House to not seek re-election. Two GOP senators also are not running again.

He had said for months he intended to run despite rumors to the contrary.

Espich, 69, pointed to other representatives now serving southwest Allen County and Wells County, including Leonard, Rep. Kathy Heuer, R-Columbia City, and Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne.

“These incumbent representatives are all my friends. All of them serve the same principles of faith and traditional American values that most of us hold dear. They each do a great job serving their constituents and will do likewise in their new area in the coming years,” he said.

“For these reasons, I have decided not to seek re-election as a state representative.”

Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma has worked alongside Espich since 1985 and called him the most dedicated and talented citizen legislator he has worked with.

“His constant eye on the taxpayers’ bottom line and incredible attention to detail have protected the citizens of our state beyond what they will ever realize,” Bosma said. “He will be sorely missed and fondly recalled as a dedicated and frugal public servant for many years to come. On a personal note, he will be greatly missed as a close personal friend, adviser and colleague.”

Espich has lived his whole life in small-town Uniondale in Wells County. While he is known statewide for his fiscal prowess, locally he is a small-business man and community partner – and has one of the best Christmas displays around.

He was first elected at age 30 and remembers his first campaign as modern for the era, including mailings to the parts of six counties in the district. His trademark was to ride a bicycle in all the parades. And he also rode to all the county seats for some media attention.

In the legislature, he has served as speaker pro tempore and chairman of the Labor, Commerce, and House Ways and Means committees.

It is his work steering the fiscal matters for the House Republicans’ caucus that will most be remembered.

In recent years he has presided over several balanced budgets and in 2006 worked to provide property tax relief for Hoosiers.

“He’s going to leave a big hole not only in the Republican caucus in the House but in the Statehouse in general,” Leonard said. “He is so knowledgeable and understands the history of issues. It’ll be a great loss.”

He and others agree Espich was great at the microphone, explaining bills in a blunt, no-nonsense manner.

He was usually known for being serious, so he surprised everyone last year when he used a song and dance from a television commercial featuring hamsters to say the state couldn’t afford more spending.

Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, said Espich’s departure will be missed on the other side of the aisle, too, because he was honest and upfront.

“He’s one of the most effective, principled and disciplined Ways and Means chairmen we ever had,” he said. “He is unequaled and will be sorely missed. I don’t vote for everything he puts up, but he explains it well, and he was always very fair.”

nkelly@jg.net