Senator Teresa Lubbers has served in the Indiana Senate since 1992 and represents portions of Marion and Hamilton Counties. As the Assistant Majority Leader, she oversees the Majority Communications Department. She also serves as the Chair of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and as a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.
Senator Lubbers' professional career included teaching high school English and serving as Public Information Officer for Mayor Richard Lugar and Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Richard Lugar. She also worked for Inc. Magazine and the National Federation of Independent Business. For over 15 years, she operated Capitol Communications, a public relations and advertising firm.
As a legislator, Senator Lubbers has been a leader in education and economic development issues. She authored Indiana's charter school law, which is recognized as one of the best charter school laws in the nation. She also spearheaded efforts to ensure high academic standards and accountability; address the high drop-out rate; promote optional full-day kindergarten; and improve teacher effectiveness. As the past chair of the Midwestern Higher Education Commission, she has worked on workforce/higher education issues in Indiana and throughout the region.
Her support for a stronger economic development agenda has been recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business with the "Guardian of Small Business" award and by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce with the "Champion of Small Business" and "Government Leader of the Year" awards.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Lubbers has sponsored legislation focused on increasing penalties for domestic violence and violence against pregnant women. She has also worked to bring more clarity and strength to Indiana's adoption laws. Eighteen years ago, Senator Lubbers co-founded and continues to co-chair the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series, a leading public service training program for women of high potential. She serves on many boards, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She is also a member of the Human Resources Committee of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.
She and her husband, Mark, reside in Indianapolis and are the parents of two adult daughters.