Dwayne Sawyer

Sawyer is a 1984 graduate of Peru Senior High School in Peru, New York. He attended Purdue University, graduating in 1989 with a degree in computer technology.{{cite web | url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-picks-dwayne-sawyer-for-state-auditor-vacancy/article_23665b6e-f7d5-52e3-9fb3-d80c0843b376.html | title =Pence picks Dwayne Sawyer for state auditor vacancy | author =Dan Carden | publisher =nwitimes.com | date =August 15, 2013}} He was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.{{cite web | url=http://www.phikappatau.org/index.php/rss-blog-style.html?start=250 | title =Phi Tau Alumni Election Winners 2010 | author =Phi Kappa Tau | publisher =phikappatau.org | date =November 16, 2010}}

Before entering politics, Sawyer spent his career in the private sector; holding financial management positions for Roche Diagnostics, Dow AgroSciences and Eli Lilly and Company.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20130815/NEWS05/308150024/Gov-Mike-Pence-names-Dwayne-Sawyer-new-state-auditor | title =Gov. Mike Pence names Dwayne Sawyer new state auditor | author =Chris Sikich, Jill Disis | publisher =indystar.com | date =August 15, 2013}} Since 2010, Sawyer has worked as a Senior Software Engineer for Positron Corporation, a nuclear cardiology technology research and development company.{{cite web | url=http://thestatehousefile.com/pence-names-dwayne-sawer-to-be-next-state-auditor/12818/ | title =Pence names Dwayne Sawer to be next state auditor | author =Megan Banta | publisher =thestatehousefile.com | date =August 15, 2013}}

Sawyer serves as the secretary of Indiana's 4th district Republican Committee and also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Hendricks County Republican Party.{{cite web | url=http://flyergroup.com/local/x738626417/Sawyer-named-auditor-of-state | title =Sawyer named auditor of state | publisher =flyergroup.com | date =August 15, 2013}} He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Leadership Forum and the Hendricks County Regional Health YMCA. In 2013, Sawyer was also appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males.{{cite web | url =http://wfpl.org/post/dwayne-sawyer-appointed-indiana-auditor-becomes-first-black-republican-hold-statewide-office | title =Dwayne Sawyer Appointed Indiana Auditor; Becomes First Black Republican to Hold Statewide Office | author =Rick Howlett | publisher =wfpl.org | date =August 15, 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl =https://archive.today/20130816015704/http://wfpl.org/post/dwayne-sawyer-appointed-indiana-auditor-becomes-first-black-republican-hold-statewide-office | archivedate =August 16, 2013 | df = }}

Sawyer was elected to the Brownsburg Town Council in December 2008 by the Hendricks County Republican Party precinct committee, after council member Ronna Jessen resigned from serving Brownsburg's 2nd Ward.{{cite web | url=http://flyergroup.com/local/x488967749/Republicans-fill-town-council-seat?state=taberU | title =Republicans fill town council seat | author =Charlee Beasor | publisher =flyergroup.com | date =December 17, 2008}} Sawyer, the first African-American to hold elected office in Hendricks County, was sworn in on January 10, 2009 by Hendricks County Superior Court Judge Robert Freese, being introduced by Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita.{{cite web | url=http://flyergroup.com/local/x488968501/New-member-sworn-in-at-council-meeting | title =New member sworn in at council meeting State representatives on hand for event | author =Charlee Beasor | publisher =flyergroup.com | date =January 12, 2009}} Sawyer ran unopposed in the May 2011 Republican primary, winning reelection in the November general election.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20110503/LOCAL05/105030397/Hendricks-County-election-results | title =Hendricks County election results | author =Indianapolis Star | publisher =indystar.com | date =May 3, 2011}} Sawyer became Brownsburg Town Council President in January 2012, resigning in August 2013 to assume the position of State Auditor of Indiana.

As council President, Sawyer helped lead efforts in the controversial annexation of Brownsburg.{{cite web | url=http://flyergroup.com/local/x1724752046/Brownsburg-passes-annexation | title =Brownsburg passes annexation Move adds 4,500 acres to town | author =Bart Doan | publisher =flyergroup.com | date =July 12, 2013}} In a 3-2 council vote, Sawyer voted in favor of allowing the 4,500 acre annexation of the northern borders, doubling the size of the city for future growth and expansion.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/viewart/20130711/NEWS/307110104/Brownsburg-council-votes-3-2-double-size-town | title =Brownsburg council votes 3-2 to double size of town | author =Jill Disis | publisher =indystar.com | date =July 12, 2013}} Sawyer has advocated for a 0.3% raise in local income taxes to support the expansion of mass transit, pushing the Indiana General Assembly to support legislation for individual counties to allow referendums for such an increase to support county highway transportation projects.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20130805/BUSINESS/308050068/Plainfield-Brownsburg-council-presidents-back-referendum-expand-mass-transit | title =Plainfield, Brownsburg council presidents back referendum to expand mass transit | author =Chris Sikich | publisher =indystar.com | date =August 5, 2013}}

Sawyer was appointed Indiana state auditor by Governor Mike Pence on August 15, 2013. He was later sworn in as the 55th auditor on August 19, 2013. Sawyer's term would only last a little over three months. On November 26, 2013, he submitted a letter of resignation to Governor Pence citing "personal reasons". In a written statement, Sawyer explained his resignation: “Due to family and personal concerns, I have come to the conclusion that it will be in the best interests of my family and the people of Indiana whom I have been honored to serve that I resign from the office of Indiana auditor of state.”{{cite web | url =http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/gov-mike-pence-accepts-resignation-from-state-auditor-dwayne-sawyer | title =Gov. Mike Pence accepts resignation from State Auditor Dwayne Sawyer | author =TheIndyChannel.com Staff | publisher =TheIndyChannel.com | date =November 26, 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20131217230114/http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/gov-mike-pence-accepts-resignation-from-state-auditor-dwayne-sawyer | archivedate =December 17, 2013 | df = }}

To date, Governor Pence has yet to explain the exact nature of Sawyer's resignation. On December 5, 2013, Indiana Democratic Party Chair John Zody submitted a public records request with Governor Pence's office seeking further information regarding the Governor's vetting process for appointments and the exact reason for Sawyer's resignation.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20131205/NEWS/312050024/ | title =Democrats seek answers in state auditor resignation | author =Barb Berggoetz | publisher =indystar.com | date =December 5, 2013}}

On December 16, 2013, Republican State Representative Suzanne Crouch was appointed by Governor Mike Pence to replace Sawyer as Indiana State Auditor.{{cite web | url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/12/16/state-rep-suzanne-crouch-named-indiana-auditor/4039563/ | title =State Rep. Suzanne Crouch named Indiana auditor | author =Barb Berggoetz | publisher =indystar.com | date =December 16, 2013}}

Sawyer is married to Melissa Sawyer. They've lived in Brownsburg since 2001 with their three children, who he and his wife home school. Sawyer also enjoys playing the alto saxophone.{{cite web | url =http://flyergroup.com/webnewsfirst/x488967591/Republicans-hold-caucus-to-fill-seat | title =Republicans hold caucus to fill seat | author =Charlee Beason | publisher =flyergroup.com | date =December 12, 2008 | url-status=dead | archiveurl =https://archive.today/20130816015715/http://flyergroup.com/webnewsfirst/x488967591/Republicans-hold-caucus-to-fill-seat | archivedate =August 16, 2013 | df = }}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.in.gov/auditor/ Indiana State Auditor Home Page]

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{{s-bef|before=Ronna Jessen}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Brownsburg Town Council
from the 2nd Ward |years=2009-2013}}

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{{s-bef|before=Mike Rogers}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of the Brownsburg Town Council |years=2012-2013}}

{{s-aft|after=Gary Hood}}

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{{s-bef|before=Tim Berry}}

{{s-ttl|title= 55th Indiana State Auditor |years=2013}}

{{s-aft|after=Suzanne Crouch}}

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{{Current Indiana statewide political officials}}

{{U.S. State Auditors}}

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Category:1966 births

Category:Purdue University alumni

Category:Indiana Republicans

Category:Indiana state auditors

Category:Indiana city council members

Category:Living people

Category:People from Brownsburg, Indiana

Category:People from Peru, New York

Category:African-American people in Indiana politics

Category:21st-century African-American politicians

Category:20th-century African-American politicians