Politics & Government

Apart from those who retired prior to this election cycle, Indiana House Republican leadership will remain mostly the same after the new 69-member caucus voted Wednesday. And Speaker Brian Bosma says his caucus’ style of governing won’t change either.

After 36 years in the Republican column, Indiana’s Senate seat has switched parties as Congressman Joe Donnelly defeated Republican Richard Mourdock Tuesday.

Considered one of the key races in determining control of the U-S Senate, the race between the two candidates – separated by a razor-thin margin for months – was colored by a significant influx of outside money and negative ads. 

Voter turnout in Indiana has gone up in three consecutive presidential election years, including 2008’s record high.  Indiana’s Secretary of State says she’s hoping for another record this year, but some political watchers say that’s unlikely.

Secretary of State Connie Lawson says early voting has been strong so far, but she says early voting this year is a little off from the last presidential election.

“Compared to this time in the election process in 2008, we’re about 85 thousand ballots behind what we were in 2008,” Lawson said.

Lawmakers will attempt the first comprehensive reform of Indiana’s criminal code in 30 years next session after legislation prepared over the last three years by a legislative study committee was approved Tuesday.  But some state criminal justice organizations say the reform package will still require significant work before it can garner their support.

A huge portion of the criminal code overhaul will be put in one piece of legislation next session, something Indiana Public Defender Council executive director Larry Landis says may not work.