Rep. Rudy Yakym Sworn in to Complete Late Rep. Jackie Walorski’s Term in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) participates in a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and his family at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 14, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) was sworn into office on Monday to fill the 2nd district seat of Indiana, replacing the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.).

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) swore Yakym into office where he will serve for the remainder of Walorski’s term in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District.

Walorski, a Republican, died in a car crash on Aug. 3 at the age of 58.

Yakym, a businessman who previously served as finance director for Walorski’s congressional campaign, was endorsed by her husband, Dean Swihart. He beat challengers Democrat Paul Steury and Libertarian William Henry in the special election race to fill the vacant seat.

Yakym won 64.6 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s elections, while Steury secured 32.4 percent and Henry won just 3 percent.

He also won the regular Indiana 2nd District election and will commence his full term for the 118th Congress, which begins on Jan. 3.

The businessman had focused his campaign on combatting soaring inflation and creating more jobs, bolstering America’s energy independence and lowering gas prices, and “saving America from the Pelosi-Biden Failed Agenda,” among other issues.

‘Honor of a Lifetime’

“In Congress, I’ll stand up to the failed Pelosi-Biden agenda that is piling up debt, driving up gas prices, fueling inflation, and making our country, and our communities, less safe,” a statement on his campaign website reads.

Speaking at Monday’s ceremony alongside Pelosi, Yakym acknowledged the late congresswoman Walorski and vowed to work hard when stepping into her position.

“Jackie delivered results for the district, and she had the utmost respect of her colleagues in the room,” Yakym said. “As her successor, I will work every day to honor her memory and uphold her impeccable work ethic.”

“It’s the honor of a lifetime to stand here tonight representing Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District,” he continued. “To the Hoosiers who have placed their trust in me to best represent them in this House, the people’s House, thank you. I ask for your continued prayer for wisdom as we work to make our nation a more perfect union.”

Yakym also noted that there are “real policy issues that need to be addressed,” pointing to red-hot inflation and a huge deficit.

Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 19, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Walorski passed away in August alongside two staffers, District Director Zachery Potts, 27, and Communications Director Emma Thomson, 28, when their vehicle collided with another while they were traveling in Indiana.

The occupant of the other vehicle, identified as 56-year-old Edith Schmucker, was also pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Walorski was a lifelong resident of Indiana and had represented Indiana’s 2nd District since 2013.