Overview

• Rita Fleming, elected in 2018, announced her immediate retirement citing family priorities.
• Fleming was known for her work on reproductive healthcare legislation, including a controversial birth control bill.
• A caucus will select her replacement for the November ballot against Republican Scott Hawkins.
• Fleming's legislative career included a law preventing the shackling of pregnant inmates during labor.
• Her retirement follows a narrow 2022 election win and another challenging campaign ahead.