Former Indiana Senate Minority Whip Earline S. Rogers has died

The Flag of Indiana.Photo byWikimedia Commons

Earline S. Rogers was a key figure in Indiana politics for many years as was a member of the Democratic Party. Rogers passed away on September 5, 2024.

Her death was confirmed by her family. A cause of death was not immediately released to the public.

Rogers began her political career in the Chicago, Illinois suburb of Gary, Indiana. After spending time as the President of the City Council, she won a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives for the first time in 1982 from the 14th District. Eventually, Rogers joined the Indiana Senate via the 3rd District in 1990.

She went on to serve as Minority Whip, Assistant Minority Whip and Assistant Minority Leader of the Senate. Other positions she held during her time in the state legislature also included her being the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee, as well as the Senate Family and Children Services Committee. In addition, she was the Vice Chair of the Indiana chapter of the Democratic Party.

Rogers opted not to stand as a candidate for another Senate term in 2016. She was succeeded in her seat by fellow Democrat Eddie Melton. Melton later became the Assistant Minority Leader himself and has since become the Mayor of Gary.

Earline S. Rogers was a graduate of what is now the Theodore Roosevelt College and Career Academy and of Indiana University Bloomington. Outside of politics, she was a schoolteacher by trade. She had two children with her husband, Louis.