:Shelli Yoder

Yoder is a native of Shipshewana, Indiana. She studied interpersonal communication at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SLRJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZxANAAAAIBAJ&pg=4099,6373555&dq=shelli-yoder&hl=en Profile], The Madison Courier], google.com; accessed November 9, 2016. and has a master's degree in counseling and human services from Indiana University South Bend. In 2002 she earned a master's degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/vanderbilt-magazine/archives/apov_f03.pdf|title=Pursuing a Crown of Perfection: A Journey from Atlantic City to Vanderbilt University Divinity School|work=Vanderbilt Magazine|first=Shelli|last=Yoder|issue=Fall 2003|accessdate=September 4, 2012}}

Yoder won the 1992 Miss Indiana pageant and was second runner-up in the Miss America pageant that year.{{cite web|last=Joseph|first=Monica|url=http://goshennews.com/local/x205474676/Shipshewana-s-Shelli-Yoder-nearly-won-prestigious-crown-20-years-ago|title=Shipshewana's Shelli Yoder nearly won prestigious crown 20 years ago|publisher=Goshennews.com|date=January 7, 2012|accessdate=September 4, 2012}} While competing in pageants, she developed anorexia nervosa.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1874104741.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+29%2C+1993&author=DONNA+S+MULLINIX&pub=Indianapolis+Star&desc=Hoosier+beauty+queen%2C+recalling+bouts+with+anorexia+nervosa%2C+admits+she+was.+.+.STARVING+INSIDE&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201165244/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1874104741.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+29,+1993&author=DONNA+S+MULLINIX&pub=Indianapolis+Star&desc=Hoosier+beauty+queen,+recalling+bouts+with+anorexia+nervosa,+admits+she+was.+.+.STARVING+INSIDE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|title=Hoosier beauty queen, recalling bouts with anorexia nervosa, admits she was. . .STARVING INSIDE|first=Donna S.|last=Mullinix|newspaper=Indianapolis Star|page=H-1|date=August 29, 1993|accessdate=September 4, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}}

She moved to Tennessee, where she was Assistant Director of GirlForce, an advocacy group for anorexia awareness,{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1809347431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+07%2C+2004&author=PAM+SHERBORNE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=GirlForce+aims+to+empower+girls+to+make+healthy+choices&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131173322/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1809347431.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+07,+2004&author=PAM+SHERBORNE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=GirlForce+aims+to+empower+girls+to+make+healthy+choices&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=GirlForce aims to empower girls to make healthy choices|page=M-2|newspaper=The Tennessean|first=Pam|last=Sherborne|date=May 7, 2004|accessdate=September 4, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}} and Executive Director of the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1724617261.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+22%2C+2007&author=HEATHER+DONAHOE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=Eating+disorders+clinic+opens+here&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201025210/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1724617261.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+22,+2007&author=HEATHER+DONAHOE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=Eating+disorders+clinic+opens+here&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013|title=Eating disorders clinic opens here|newspaper=The Tennessean|first=Heather|last=Donahoe|date=August 22, 2007|accessdate=September 4, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1714091941.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+09%2C+2008&author=RAY+WADDLE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=Want+something+to+give+up+during+Lent%3F+Stop+self-loathing&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131153839/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tennessean/access/1714091941.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+09,+2008&author=RAY+WADDLE&pub=The+Tennessean&desc=Want+something+to+give+up+during+Lent%3F+Stop+self-loathing&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Want something to give up during Lent? Stop self-loathing|first=Ray|last=Waddle|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=February 9, 2008|accessdate=September 4, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}} She is a lecturer at the Kelley School of Business.

{{Main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana#District 9}}

In February 2012, Yoder entered the race for Indiana's 9th congressional district. In a crowded primary field of five candidates, Yoder clinched the Democratic nomination with 47% of the primary vote in May.{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120508/NEWS0203/305080063/Shelli-Yoder-wins-Democratic-nod-take-Todd-Young-Indiana-9th-District-seat|title=Shelli Yoder wins Democratic nod to take on Todd Young for the Indiana 9th District seat: GOP's Young seen as heavy favorite in fall|publisher=Louisville Courier Journal|date=May 8, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.whas11.com/news/shelli-yoder-150702885.html|title=Shelli Yoder wins Dem. Ind. House District 9|publisher=WHAS 11 News|date=May 8, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110133558/http://www.whas11.com/news/shelli-yoder-150702885.html|archivedate=November 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

During the primary, Yoder emphasized job creation, worker training, funding for health research, and investment in infrastructure and clean energy.{{cite news|url=http://newsandtribune.com/election2012/x1640792244/Final-votes-counted-in-9th-District-primary|title=Final Votes Counted in 9th District Primary|date=May 19, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.whas11.com/community/blogs/political-blog/WHAS11s-Joe-Arnold-talks-one-on-one-with-with-Shelli-Yoder-150886115.html|title=Yoder embraces Underdog Role|publisher=WHAS 11 News|date=May 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130209062027/http://www.whas11.com/community/blogs/political-blog/WHAS11s-Joe-Arnold-talks-one-on-one-with-with-Shelli-Yoder-150886115.html|archivedate=February 9, 2013|df=mdy-all}} She credited her success to a grassroots campaign, vowing to take on big money and special interests and be a voice for working families.{{cite news|url=http://www.lagrangepublishing.com/openpublish/article/former-miss-indiana-shelli-yoder-wins-democratic-nomi-nation-congress-herald-times|title=Former Miss Indiana Shelli Yoder wins Democratic nomination for Congress|date=May 10, 2012}} Former Governor Howard Dean used his political action committee to support Yoder, calling her race a key one for Democrats in 2012. The candidates Dean's PAC supported were known as the Dean Dozen.{{cite news|url=http://wfpl.org/post/howard-deans-pac-gets-behind-yoder-s-uphill-battle|title= Howard Dean's PAC Gets Behind Yoder's Uphill Battle|publisher=WFPL|date=August 8, 2012}}

In the general election campaign, Yoder challenged Republican Representative Todd Young to 13 town hall debates, one in each of the district's counties, noting that Young had challenged Representative Baron Hill to numerous debates in the 2010 campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120731/NEWS02/307310089/Indiana-congressional-hopeful-Shelli-Yoder-challenges-Rep-Todd-Young-13-debates|title=Yoder: Young Stalling On Debate Challenge|publisher=Louisville Courier Journal|date=August 1, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.wfpl.org/post/yoder-young-stalling-debate-challenge|title=Indiana congressional hopeful Shelli Yoder challenges Rep. Todd Young to 13 debates|publisher=WFPL|date=August 28, 2012}} She criticized Young's association with Representative Todd Akin and their co-sponsoring of No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which originally included the term "forcible rape"; the word "forcible" was later removed from the bill, and Young distanced himself from Akin's remarks.{{cite news|url=http://wfpl.org/post/yoder-presses-young-over-akin-legitimate-rape-comments|publisher=WFPL|title=Yoder Presses Young Over Akin 'Legitimate Rape' Comments|date=August 24, 2012}} Young defeated Yoder with 55% of the vote to her 45%.{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121106/NEWS0203/311060144/U-S-Rep-Todd-Young-defeats-Shelli-Yoder-Indiana-s-9th-District|title=U.S. Rep. Todd Young defeats Shelli Yoder in Indiana's 9th District|first=Jessica|last=Wray|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|date=November 6, 2012|accessdate=November 7, 2012}}

After her 2012 Congressional campaign, Yoder was selected to fill the remainder of Vic Kelson's term on the Monroe County Council by a special caucus of the Monroe County Democratic Party.{{cite web|url=http://www.idsnews.com/article/2013/01/yoder-takes-county-council-seat|title=Yoder takes County Council seat|publisher=|accessdate=November 10, 2016}}

In 2017, Yoder helped organize the first-ever South Central Opioid Summit in Bloomington, which brought together healthcare professionals, social service workers, policy experts and police officers in order to examine ways to increase treatment for those suffering from opiate addiction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/opinion/2017/09/30/opioid-summit-a-strong-beginning-in-addressing-broad-painful-crisis/46958001/|title=Opioid summit a strong beginning in addressing broad, painful crisis|author=Editorial Staff|website=The Herald-Times}}

In 2018, Yoder became the president of the Monroe County Council. And she was subsequently re-elected to the council by a margin of over 25 percentage points in the autumn. She ran on a campaign of improving mental health, drug treatment and dealing with the opioid crisis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/11/06/ewcomer-wiltz-projected-to-join-incumbents-yoder-and-hawk-on-county-council/117292778/|title=Newcomer Wiltz projected to join incumbents Yoder and Hawk on county council|first=Kurt|last=Christian|website=The Herald-Times}} She has also been outspoken against projects that threaten the Lake Monroe Watershed and advocates for the unique ecosystems found within south-central Indiana's state and national forests.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2018/12/10/public-needs-more-time-for-comments-on-hoosier-national-forest-logging/117226118/|title=Public needs more time for comments on Hoosier National Forest logging|first=Shelli|last=Yoder|website=The Herald-Times}}

{{Main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana#District 9}}

In August 2015, Yoder announced that she would run again for the same seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Young was not running for reelection, instead opting to run for Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat.{{cite web|url=http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/shelli-yoder-announces-running-congress-86202|title=Shelli Yoder Announces She's Running For Congress Again|work=WTIU|last=McCall|first=Alexander|date=August 17, 2015|accessdate=August 17, 2015}} Yoder was defeated by Republican businessman Trey Hollingsworth in the 2016 general election.{{cite news|last1=Schneider|first1=Grace|title=Yoder, Hollingsworth to face off in 9th District|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/indiana/2016/05/03/yoder-hollingsworth-win-9th-district-primaries/83602674|work=The Courier-Journal}}{{cite news|title=Indiana U.S. House 9th District Results: Trey Hollingsworth Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/indiana-house-district-9-yoder-hollingsworth|accessdate=17 November 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 17, 2016}}

In June 2020, Yoder won the Democratic Primary for Indiana State Senate district 40, securing a landslide of approximately 80% of the vote. She defeated the Indiana Democratic State Party Chairman, John Zody. She was elected on November 3, 2020, and was sworn in on November 17, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Indiana-Democratic-chairman-fails-in-state-Senate-15317093.php|title=Indiana Democratic Chairman Fails in State Senate Bid}} In November 2022, Yoder was elected by the Democratic caucus to serve as the assistant leader.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestatehousefile.com/politics/democratic-caucus-chooses-leadership-for-indiana-house-and-senate/article_bdbde4e8-613e-11ed-b637-6f672bacb0ed.html|title=Democratic caucus chooses leadership for Indiana House and Senate|first=Sydney Byerly|last=TheStatehouseFile.com|website=The Statehouse File}} Yoder was selected as Senate Minority Leader after accusations of sexual harassment came against Greg Taylor.{{cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Joe |title=Greg Taylor ousted as Senate Minority Leader after sexual misconduct allegations; Shelli Yoder to replace him|url=https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/greg-taylor-ousted-as-senate-minority-leader-after-sexual-misconduct-allegations-shelli-yoder-to-replace-him/|work=Fox 59 |date=December 18, 2024}}

Yoder married Josh Perry, a professor at Indiana University Bloomington. They have three children and live in Bloomington.{{Cite web|url=https://www.postbulletin.com/lifestyle/summer-bummer-a-young-campers-142-938-snakebite|title=Summer bummer: A young camper's $142,938 snakebite|date=May 7, 2019|website=Rochester Post Bulletin}}

In April 2019, Yoder's daughter Oakley made international headlines, when the daughter was bit by a venomous snake on a camping trip in Illinois. Oakley was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital and treated with anti-venom drugs. But although she was in the hospital for less than 24 hours, Shelli Yoder and her husband Josh received a hospital bill for $142,938. This included a bill for $55,577 for the helicopter and the cost of $68,172 for the various venom antidotes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-camper-girl-9-snakebite-142938-20190430-fis47j62kfevfn6stsciugfn7u-story.html|title=A 10-year-old girl ran up a $143,000 medical bill after being bitten by a venomous snake|website=New York Daily News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/young-girls-snakebite-leaves-family-with-203000-medical-bill/news-story/9d12e7218f96d9e21db56a749ddeee16|title=Young Girl's Snakebite Leaves Family with $203,000 (AUD Equiv) Medical Bill}}

In May 2020, Vanderbilt Divinity School recognized Yoder as one of their top three most distinguished alumni for the year, recognizing her for her work at the First United Church of Bloomington, in addition to her achievements in public service.{{Cite web|url=https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2020/05/07/2020-vanderbilt-divinity-school-and-gdr-distinguished-alumni-ae-named/|title=2020 Vanderbilt Divinity School and GDR Distinguished Alumni/ae named|website=Vanderbilt University}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= Indiana's 9th Congressional District election, 2012

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Todd Young

|votes = 165,332

|percentage = 55.45

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Shelli Yoder

|votes = 132,848

|percentage = 44.55

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 298,180

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Indiana's 9th congressional district, 2016

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Trey Hollingsworth

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 174,791

| percentage = 54.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Shelli Yoder

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 130,627

| percentage = 40.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Russell Brooksbank

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 17,425

| percentage = 5.4

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 322,843

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= Indiana State Senate District 40 Democratic primary, 2020

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Shelli Yoder

|votes = 14,805

|percentage = 81.06

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Zody

|votes = 3,023

|percentage = 16.55

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Trent Feurbach

|votes = 436

|percentage = 2.39

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 18,265

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Indiana State Senate District 40 general election, 2020

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Shelli Yoder

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 41,433

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 41,433

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title = Indiana State Senate District 40 general election, 2024

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Shelli Yoder (incumbent)

| votes = Unopposed

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes =

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.shelliyoder.com/ Shelli Yoder for State Senate] official campaign site
• {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=135982 | fec=H2IN09167 | congress= }}
• [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=IN09 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org
• [http://wfpl.org/term/shelli-yoder Collected news and commentary] from WFPL

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{{s-par|us-in-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Greg Taylor}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the Indiana Senate|years=2025–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{Current Indiana statewide political officials}}

{{U.S. State Senate Floor Leaders}}

{{Miss America 1993 Delegates}}

{{Indiana pageant winners}}

{{Indiana State Senators}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoder, Shelli}}

Category:1968 births

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:21st-century members of the Indiana General Assembly

Category:American beauty pageant winners

Category:American women in business

Category:Beauty queen-politicians

Category:Businesspeople from Indiana

Category:Democratic Party Indiana state senators

Category:Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne alumni

Category:Indiana University South Bend alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Miss America 1993 delegates

Category:People from LaGrange County, Indiana

Category:Politicians from Bloomington, Indiana

Category:Vanderbilt University alumni

Category:Women in Indiana politics

Category:Indiana University Bloomington faculty