Indiana Democratic chairman leaving after 8 years in post

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Democratic Party's chairman said Friday he would step down from the position when his term ends in March, a change that will come after several years of devastating election losses for the party.

John Zody, who has been the state chairman since 2013, said he had decided before Tuesday's election results that he wouldn't seek a third term.

'œI've mentioned to people prior to this election that win, lose or draw, after eight years it's a long time,'ť Zody said. 'œI am as much of an advocate as anyone for fresh perspectives.'ť

Democrats were routed in this year's election, losing the governor and state attorney general races by wide margins, failing to win an expensive race for a central Indiana congressional seat and falling further into a state legislative minority.

Zody pinned much of the Democratic woes to the large victory margin that President Donald Trump ran up in much of the state. Democrats had hoped to break a string of statewide election losses since 2012 that have left them largely powerless in the Statehouse.

The state Democratic central committee will pick the new party leader to replace Zody, who didn't suggest any candidates for the position.

Zody was a top staffer for U.S. Rep. Baron Hill and worked for President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign before becoming state party chairman.