Ellspermann was born in Ferdinand, Indiana, one of six children of Tom and Betty Boeglin. She graduated in 1978 from Forest Park High School in Ferdinand. In 1982, Ellspermann graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering, and in 1996 she received a PhD from University of Louisville. Before entering state politics, Ellspermann founded the business consulting firm Ellspermann and Associates Inc. In 2006, she became the founding director of the University of Southern Indiana's Center for Applied Research. In 2012, Ellspermann became the Director of Strategic Engagement for the strategic marketing firm Transformation Team, Inc.
In 2010, Ellspermann ran for the Indiana House of Representatives from the 74th District. She defeated 14-year incumbent and Democratic Majority Floor Leader Russ Stilwell. Ellspermann served one term in the Indiana House during the 2011–12 legislative session. She served on the committees for:
Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development
Elections and Apportionment
Employment, Labor and Pensions
During the legislative session, Ellspermann was a co-sponsor of H.B. 1210, prohibiting state agencies from entering into a contract or making a grant to any entity that performs abortions or operates a facility where abortions are performed, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or for the life of the mother. Many organizations criticized H.B. 1210 for repealing Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and for blocking funding for other health services that Planned Parenthood provides for those on Medicaid. Ellspermann also cosponsored H.B. 1007, establishing a pilot program requiring drug testing for TANF applicants, and twice voted for a statewide ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. Ellspermann was a co-sponsor of and leader in passing H.B. 1001, Indiana's right-to-work law, which prohibits employers from requiring employees to join a labor union. During a debate with other lawmakers in Evansville, she said, "Right-to-work is a legitimate strategy to help attract and grow jobs. Indiana loses out on potential job creation because some companies won't consider moving here." Ellspermann sponsored four bills during her tenure, two of which became law, including HEA 1312, expanding state regulatory authority of poultry sellers at farmers markets, and HEA 1173, changing the circumstances under which employees can file a complaint against their employer through the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The American Conservative Union gave her an evaluation of 87%.
Likely running mates for U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Pence in Indiana's 2012 gubernatorial election were rumored to include Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, and Ellspermann. On May 21, 2012, Pence announced that he had picked Ellspermann as his running mate. The choice was hailed among officials and members of the Indiana Republican Party and criticized by Democratic nominee John Gregg, who called the Pence-Ellsperman ticket "the Tea Party ticket." Pence and Ellspermann were officially nominated at the Indiana Republican convention on June 10, 2012, and on November 6 won the general election with 49.6% of the vote.
Tenure
Ellspermann was sworn in as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana on January 14, 2013, succeeding two-term incumbent Becky Skillman. As lieutenant governor, Ellspermann headed the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Office of Energy Development, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Office of Tourism Development. Ellspermann resigned before the completion of her term on March 2, 2016. Pence appointed Eric J. Holcomb to serve out the remainder of her term.
Personal life
Ellspermann is a resident of Ferdinand, Indiana, with her husband Jim Mehling, the former principal of Forest Park High School. They have four adult daughters. Ellspermann is a Roman Catholic and a member of St. Ferdinand Parish, where she and her husband are on the Strategic Planning Committee. She was previously a 20-year member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Evansville, where she served on the Parish Council and the Stewardship Commission, and was a eucharistic minister and lector.
