The Megathread for All Things Hoosier!

[StateBoiler]

https://indypolitics.org/indiana-dems-mike-braun-broke-the-law-and-stole-a-united-states-senate-seat-in-2018/

Campaign finance shenanigans with Braun in 2018. Signs already were he'd only serve a single term in the Senate, but he was planning on running for Governor in 2024. Probably hurts him in what looks like a packed primary.

The was a 5-way race for Indiana Treasurer is now a 4-way, as Suzie Jawarowski has withdrawn to run for a state legislature seat in Hamilton County. Jawarowski served in the Trump administration in the Energy Department.

Per Importantville:

https://importantville.substack.com/p/sunday-scoop-a-new-statewide-democratic

Indiana Democrats have struggled to find candidates interested in running for Secretary of State in 2022, but a source familiar tells me Destiny Scott Wells—an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel focused on military intelligence, and currently adjunct faculty with the Army Command and General Staff College—could launch her campaign next month when she leaves active duty.

Wells was associate corporation counsel for the city of Indianapolis and Marion County and Indiana deputy attorney general. She serves as Indiana Democratic Party's deputy chair for coalitions and expansion.

Also in the same article, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg "takes a victory lap" for a package that publicly he didn't help sell at all.

[StateBoiler]

-Rokita per Abdul Hakim-Shabazz's Cheat Sheet may have one thing holding him back from running for Governor in 2024. The reason? His wife. He's Attorney General which does not pay as well as what he was doing privately prior to his election to that office and he has a special needs child that needs lots of attention.

-So after Organization Day - the ceremonial start to a new session of the State Assembly - Holcomb and Republican Assembly leaders were going to push through some bills that would lead to the end goal of Holcomb declaring the government emergency the state has been operating under for 20 months over. There was going to be a committee vote the week of Thanksgiving and then a 1-day special session on November 29th to pass it. At some point, Huston and Bray put the brakes on the whole thing saying this is way too complicated to rush through leading to the emergency being extended. Probably the best move.

-My Congressman Jim Banks (representing Fort Wayne and the rest of the northeast Indiana corner) and Current Republican Study Committee Chairman has been mentioned by some outlets as a possible outsider shot/alternative to Kevin McCarthy being Speaker if Republicans take control of the House as expected following the 2022 midterms. Banks is a smart man and copied McCarthy on a response saying he backed McCarthy to be Speaker. Banks was mentioned for potentially running for Governor in 2024, but if he has House leadership ambitions that are serious he's obviously not running for Governor. Banks is a pretty shrewd campaigner, staunch conservative of course, but he's more Paul Ryan than Kevin McCarthy in my opinion.

-From Importantville on the Treasurer's race, which for ambitious Republicans looking to be elected statewide is the only race next year without an incumbent. (Holli Sullivan was appointed earlier this year to the Secretary of State position, but she'll still be an incumbent. She's running against Diego Morales.)

https://importantville.substack.com/p/state-treasure-race-scooppete-buttigieg

SCOOP: Suzanne Jaworowski, the former Trump administration official, plans to bow out of the increasingly crowded Republican field for state treasurer and seek the open House District 32 seat, multiple people familiar with her decision told IMPORTANTVILLE. The seat encompasses the eastern portion of Fishers and the southern portion of Carmel, and will likely lean Democratic.
Jaworowski’s move would allow her to keep her nuclear consulting day job. More importantly, it would winnow the field to four candidates:

Grassroots favorite Daniel Elliott, chairman of the Morgan County Republican Party, the Morgan County Redevelopment Commission president, and the owner of a software company in Martinsville.

Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling, the most traditionally qualified candidate for the role.

President of Boone County Council and real estate businesswoman Elise Nieshalla.

Establishment favorite Pete Seat, the Bose Public Affairs Group vice president who has racked up statewide endorsements.

At the same link, toward the end it has a section titled "Inside Mike Schmuhl's Indiana Rescue Operation" on the new Democratic State Party Chair's plans, which involve going to rural areas unfriendly to Democrats to make them "less red". At the end of it is a question of "where's it all headed?" One source speculated Schmuhl could run for Governor or possibly run the DNC if we ever have President Buttigieg.

[StateBoiler]

Former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi died suddenly yesterday following a stroke. He was one of the individuals that ran for the 5th District Congress seat Republican primary in 2020.

https://indypolitics.org/brizzi-hospitalized/

Filing for primaries started yesterday. For major offices the only people that have filed so far is Mrvan, Carson, and Baird for reelection to Congress. (There's 2 Democrats not retiring.)

[StateBoiler]

Congressional candidates so far filed, updated January 27th:

1st District:

Frank Mrvan, Democrat (inc)
Jennifer-Ruth Green, Republican
Mark Leyva, Republican
Martin Lucas, Republican
Blair Milo, Republican
Ben Ruiz, Republican
Aaron Storer, Republican

The Mark Leyva Dynasty continues!

Milo is young, veteran, served in the Holcomb administration, and is the Mayor of LaPorte.

2nd District:

Jackie Walorski, Republican (inc)

3rd District:

Phillip Beachy, Democrat
A.J. Calkins, Democrat
Gary Snyder, Democrat
Jim Banks, Republican (inc)

Snyder is a Fort Wayne local radio guy and the likely primary winner to be the sacrificial lamb to Banks.

4th District:

Jim Baird, Republican (inc)
T. Charles Bookwalter, Republican

5th District:

Victoria Spartz, Republican (inc)

6th District:

Greg Pence, Republican (inc)
Zach Smith, Republican

7th District:

Andre Carson, Democrat (inc)
Curtis Godfrey, Democrat
Pierre Quincy Pullins, Democrat
Rusty Scott Johnson, Republican

8th District:

Larry Bucshon, Republican (inc)

9th District:

Matthew Fyfe, Democrat
Erin Houchin, Republican
Mike Sodrel, Republican
Bill Thomas, Republican
Jacob Bailey, Green

This is Trey Hollingsworth's district he's not running for re-election.

Establishment favorite is State Senator Houchin, but Sodrel is a former Congressman from the '00s.

The Green does not have automatic ballot access. The Libertarians will 99% certain nominate Tonya Millis for the seat at their State Convention.

[StateBoiler]

Hollingsworth not running for reelection.

https://rrhelections.com/index.php/2022/01/12/in-09-rep-trey-hollingsworth-r-will-not-seek-re-election/

Agree with RRHElections' take of State Senator Erin Houchin.

[StateBoiler]

Credible Republican challenger for Mrvan in the 1st.

https://indypolitics.org/milo-vs-mrvan/

We're almost halfway through the primary filing timeline in my county and not a single Democrat has filed for anything, including township advisory boards, precinct committee members, and state convention delegate.

[gerritcole]

Credible Republican challenger for Mrvan in the 1st.

https://indypolitics.org/milo-vs-mrvan/

We're almost halfway through the primary filing timeline in my county and not a single Democrat has filed for anything, including township advisory boards, precinct committee members, and state convention delegate.

Were dems once a downballot competitive party in your county? I understand you wanna keep your location anonymous so you can be as general as you want

[StateBoiler]

Credible Republican challenger for Mrvan in the 1st.

https://indypolitics.org/milo-vs-mrvan/

We're almost halfway through the primary filing timeline in my county and not a single Democrat has filed for anything, including township advisory boards, precinct committee members, and state convention delegate.

Were dems once a downballot competitive party in your county? I understand you wanna keep your location anonymous so you can be as general as you want

Only been in the area for 7 years, not in that time.

[StateBoiler]

Updated the Congresional candidates list above. Still no one has filed in Walorski's or the old Vice President's brother's district.

[StateBoiler]

Updated candidate list up to 1/27.

Here's statewide candidates:

Secretary of State

Destiny Scott Wells, Democrat
Holli Sullivan (appointed incumbent), Republican
Diego Morales, Republican
Kyle Conrad, Republican
Jeff Maurer, Libertarian

for money - Sullivan has raised more money than Morales but they have about the same amount of cash on hand. Conrad is far behind the two of them.

Treasurer

Dan Elliott, Republican
Lana Keeslling, Republican
Elise Nieshalla, Republican
Pete Seat, Republican

Nieshalla has the most money but cash-wise this is small potatoes compared to the Secretary of State race. No announced Democrat candidate for Treasurer as of yet.

It looks like Auditor Tera Klutz will receive no opposition to reelection from the Republicans or Democrats. I've no idea if anyone from my party is running.

Senator, people here have to submit signatures before they're officially candidates:

Todd Young (inc), Republican
Danny Niederberger, Republican
John Piper, Republican
Haneefah Khaaliq, Democrat
Valerie Lin McCray, Democrat
Thomas McDermott, Democrat
Aleem Young, Democrat
William Henry, Libertarian
James Sceniak, Libertarian
Jason Gabehart, Independent
Ellen Kizik, Independent

On Statehouse Happenings, Abdul Hakim-Shabazz and Rob Kendall have said it is likely Niederberger will be able to submit the 500 signatures in all 9 districts, which is quite the hurdle. Kendall was looking forward to the humor of Todd Young or a Todd Young strawman challenging Niederberger's signatures. I don't think anyone is expecting anyone other than McDermott meeting the threshold for the Democrats. My gut take is Henry will win the Libertarian convention vote over Sceniak.

Looking forward to 2024 Governor potential candidates, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has raised a ton of money.

In my county with 9 days to go until filing deadline, we now have (drumroll) 2 Democrats...for Township Advisory Boards! No one has filed yet for State Convention Delegate or Party Precinct Committeemember, so on the latter if a group of a dozen people in the county wanted to do entryism and hijack it, they could take control.

[StateBoiler]

Abdul Hakim-Shabazz at Indy Politics:

It looks like the 2022 U.S. Senate race will feature Republican Todd Young and Democrat Tom McDermott.

An analysis of signatures by Indy Politics shows that only McDermott and Young have gathered enough signatures to make it on to the ballot.

Below is a list of the number of signatures that were turned in Friday at 12 to the Indiana Election Division.

Todd Young – R

CD 1 – 863
CD 2 – 892
CD 3 – 758
CD 4 – 1,219
CD 5 – 720
CD 6 –  1,086
CD 7 – 601
CD 8 – 839
CD 9  – 864

Total – 7,842

Danny Niederberger – R

CD 1 – 477
CD 2 – 502
CD 3 – 470
CD 4 – 510
CD 5 – 558
CD 6 – 654
CD 7 – 354
CD 8 – 421
CD 9 – 437

Total – 4,383

Thom McDermott – D

CD 1 – 747
CD 2 – 678
CD 3 – 646
CD 4 – 827
CD 5 – 807
CD 6 – 606
CD 7 – 612
CD 8 – 624
CD 9 – 582

Total – 6,129

Haneefa Khaaliq – D

CD 1 – 652
CD 2 – 465
CD 3 – 613
CD 4 – 473
CD 5 – 346
CD 6 – 348
CD 7 – 506
CD 8 – 493
CD 9  – 577

Total – 4,473

Valarie McCray – D

CD 1 – 275
CD 2 – 115
CD 3 – 340
CD 4 – 62
CD 5 – 211
CD 6 – 111
CD 7 – 491
CD 8 – 233
CD 9  – 157

Total – 1,995

Under state law, candidates needed at least 500 signatures of registered voters each in all nine congressional districts.  

[StateBoiler]

Election Board meeting this afternoon. Starts at 1:30 and they provide a live link to it on Youtube. They'll be taking up a ton of ballot challenges.

A lawyer named Yahne that appears to be from Munster is McDermott's bag man to get his 2 Senate Democratic primary challengers Haneefa Khaaliq and Valarie McCray removed from the ballot for failing to meet the 500 signatures in all 9 districts requirement. McCray in turn filed a challenge against McDermott for some reason. 2 people have filed challenges against Niederberger for the same reason to remove him from the primary ballot against Sen. Young.

Someone filed a challenge to Rep. Jim Banks (Fort Wayne-based district) under the insurrection clause. 2 challenges filed against Rep. Baird's opponent in the 4th district. 6 other candidattes in congressional primaries had challenges filed against them, and 12 candidates for state legislature.

So went and filed for myself and 2 other candidates for our county party. It's 4 forms for each individual. Literally had to pay a Saudi gentleman $138 for us to get on the ballot. He was our licensed notary: 2 required notarizations for each candidate * 3 candidates * his fee, plus tax. Tried to use banks/clerk's office/library running around town for a bit, and either out of office, skipped out on my appointment I had previously setup, or for banks would only provide the service for bank account holders. Although I did make a connection with him to go speak at the local Rotary Club lunch later this year. We'll have one 3-way race as the Democrats do have a single county-level candidate running for Commissioner, although he is from out of town and graduated from high school in 2018 per his Facebook. And then myself and 1 other individual running for Council will be 2-way races with us versus the Republican incumbents. The Democratic Party's county chair filed for Trustee of her Township, and other than that, Republican monopoly until you get down to the Township Advisory Boards.

[StateBoiler]

Khaaliq and McCray removed so McDermott will have the Democratic primary ballot to himself. Per Niki Kelly twitter, McCray:

-notes that both black women were challenged in the race
-her campaign was sabotaged with fake signatures
-challenged Tom McDermott, alleging he used previous signatures with just changing dates on the paper; no evidence, just hearsay

McDermott goes into a song and dance of this is embarrassing that she is challenging his integrity, breaks his heart, makes you wonder why people run for office, etc. I thought Lake County Democrats were tougher than that. Anyway, challenge denied.

-McCray then goes back to her hearing saying the challenger is not a registered voter, which was ruled inappropriate because they were already past

I also want to note that we are now at 14 YEARS AND COUNTING since the last contested Governor or Senator Democratic primary.

Niederberger being challenged now. Niederberger says he submitted more than 600 signatures in each district. Per Eric Berman of WIBC:

"Niederberger says he personally delivered signatures to 75 county clerks, and claims he had 600 signatures in each of the nine districts, 100 more than required. He says he delivered signatures to Marion County on Jan 13, 3 weeks ahead of deadline, and the county never processed."

He doesn't bring copies of his signatures as evidence. Commission upholds challenge, he's removed from ballot. A crowd attending the hearing boos. So Sen. Todd Young will also have the primary ballot all to himself.

Young in 2016 was famously 3 signatures short in the 1st District and the Commission voted to allow him ballot access anyway. He then went on to win the primary against fellow Rep. Marlin Stutzman.

Now on to Congress.

[StateBoiler]

Candidate for 2nd District axed, Stephen Kurant - Democrat. He lives in Texas and never has voted in Indiana.

The District Party Chair for the Democrats in the 3rd District challenges Tommy Schrader from appearing on the Democratic ballot. Schrader is a perennial candidate with no money that lives in a Fort Wayne hotel and actually won the Democratic primary in this district in 2016 embarrassing local Democrats who immediately conceded the general election the day after the primary. The challenge is on weak technicality grounds (he lives in a hotel, does not have room number on address, his name is not technically right as he's going by Tommy instead of Thomas, never filed a campaign finance report), however the Commission approves the challenge and removes him from the ballot.

Aaron Calkins, who is running for the 3rd District Democratic nod challenges 3rd District Rep. Jim Banks on 14th Amendment insurrection grounds saying he was involved with January 6th. An individual representing Banks asks Calkins for case law, who has none. In something that will probably get repeated at the Cawthorn case in North Carolina, he says "the panel does not have authority to make this decision, they have authority over state election laws - not interpreting a U.S. Constitutional amendment". Also says it fails on merits as it's a baseless allegation with no facts presented that he participated in an insurrection or rebellion. Challenge denied, however it's not the worst idea for publicity seeking for the Democratic candidate for the primary.

Bookwalter removed from ballot for not voting in 2 Republican primaries (i.e. not a party member in good standing). So incumbent Rep. Baird will now not have a primary challenger. Niki Kelly: "More booing and 'shame on you' from crowd. I've never seen such a raucous election commission meeting. Lots of people are frustrated with the laws and the commission says they can't go against the law."

[StateBoiler]

Read a story on Bookwalter. He went to the Boone County Republican chair to get clearance to run which is what you have to do if you hadn't voted in 2 consecutive primaries. The county chair did not dispute his party bona fides upon production of 12 years' worth of evidence, but told him he should run for another office and does not understand why he would want to run against Baird in the primary, thereby refusing to sign for him.

[NewYorkExpress]

Mike Braun likely running for Governor in 2024.

Indiana Sen. Mike Braun is leaning toward running for governor in 2024, a move that would open up a GOP-held seat in what’s become a reliably red state, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The loquacious first-term senator said on Thursday that he’s not making an official statement at this point.


“Where’d you hear that? I’ll make my mind up here down the road, probably before the end of the year. I’ve been talking about it though since I’ve got here,” Braun said in a brief interview. “I’ll make a formal announcement somewhere probably late November, early December.”


Indy Politics reported on Thursday that Braun is informing Republicans in the state about his plans to run for governor and that he will announce after the midterm election, a move typical of lawmakers who are eyeing new offices. Braun’s office declined further comment.

[NewYorkExpress]

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch has entered the Governor's race.

Indiana's Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has launched her campaign for the state's top political spot.

"I have a clear vision for Indiana’s future – lower taxes, keep our citizens safe, protect the sanctity of life, and defend Hoosier values," Crouch's website states. "I’ve spent my life advocating for initiatives that have had a positive impact on our state’s economy, and as Governor I will challenge and innovate our state government to be more efficient and transparent."


Crouch's campaign site also says she won't let "Washington politicians" compromise Hoosier values, "ensuring we will always be there for the most vulnerable while protecting our faith, families, and freedom."

I feel like Crouch is eschewing a very winnable Senate campaign (seriously, she can beat Holcomb in a primary if he runs, and I doubt she'd have much to fear from Spartz or Rokita), in favor of a Gubernatorial Primary that she'll likely lose (I can't see her beating Braun).

[JMT]

https://twitter.com/darthjeff90/status/1617606965735325698?s=61&t=rIaOhGU3A3...

[JMT]

https://twitter.com/toddrokitain/status/1628500860694061056?s=46&t=zsZnpVoy_...

[libertpaulian]

The Indiana GOP is turning into a clown show. Too bad the state Democrats are emaciated and incompetent.

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/maryfrancesmcg/status/1654119867937693696

Honestly, not a bad recruit for Indiana Democrats here (though it would be nice if they were able to recruit someone who wasn't a Republican as recently as 2021.).

[NewYorkExpress]

Curtis Hill has entered the Gubernatorial Race.

Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, whose time in office was marred by groping allegations that he strongly denied, announced Monday on Twitter he will run for governor as a Republican.

Pitching himself as a "proven conservative and fresh voice," Hill, 62, joins an already competitive GOP primary race that includes Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden.

If Hill manages to win the Republican Primary, this easily could be a tossup, if not a Lean D race. Those groping allegations aren't going away any time soon.

[Duke of York]

Curtis Hill has entered the Gubernatorial Race.

Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, whose time in office was marred by groping allegations that he strongly denied, announced Monday on Twitter he will run for governor as a Republican.

Pitching himself as a "proven conservative and fresh voice," Hill, 62, joins an already competitive GOP primary race that includes Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden.

If Hill manages to win the Republican Primary, this easily could be a tossup, if not a Lean D race. Those groping allegations aren't going away any time soon.

What are the chances he gets the nod?

[NewYorkExpress]

Curtis Hill has entered the Gubernatorial Race.

Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, whose time in office was marred by groping allegations that he strongly denied, announced Monday on Twitter he will run for governor as a Republican.

Pitching himself as a "proven conservative and fresh voice," Hill, 62, joins an already competitive GOP primary race that includes Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun and Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden.

If Hill manages to win the Republican Primary, this easily could be a tossup, if not a Lean D race. Those groping allegations aren't going away any time soon.

What are the chances he gets the nod?

Probably not good. Braun and Crouch are both very strong candidates, and there's no reason for MAGA voters to support him over Doden.

[Ragnaroni]

Likely to Safe R! Nothing to see here, move on.