Politics & Government

As members were sworn in Tuesday, leaders of Indiana’s House and Senate warned of obstacles ahead for the 118th Indiana General Assembly.

Republicans hold super majorities in both houses for the next two years, rendering Democrats relatively powerless in the legislative process. 

But Senate President Pro Tem David Long preached bipartisanship to his chamber as he cautioned about the obstacles the legislature faces.

Following the retirement of its two longtime leaders, the House Ways and Means committee will look significantly different when the Indiana General Assembly begins its session in January.

Between them, Uniondale Republican Jeff Espich and Indianapolis Democrat Bill Crawford had 80 years of legislative experience.  The two men led the House Ways and Means committee when their party was in control.  But both are retiring this year. 

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.