John Rust wants to be a Republican Candidate for US Senate. The Indiana Republican Party appears to be doing everything possible to stop him. On Wednesday, Rust had his day in court, to try to secure the ability to appear on the primary ballot next May. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss a wild day that saw some incredible arguments from the state's lawyer on why Rust should be excluded from the Republican ballot. See omnystudio.com/li...
Nov 02, 2023•30 min
On Monday, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and his Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve debated on WISH TV. During the debate, Hogsett was asked his still unknown whereabouts during the first night of downtown riots in 2020. In his answer, he cited a report commissioned by the city on the riots that told where he was and what he was doing. However, in a leaked email, former US Attorney Deborah Daniels, who was a part of the group that completed the report, called Hogsett's statement into questi...
Oct 26, 2023•30 min
US Representative Victoria Spartz is angering constituents and colleagues alike with her statements and votes on the Speaker of the House. Her unpredictable approach has left many guessing what's next and resulted in a large amount of feedback from voters. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Spartz's antics and how it's playing inside Republican circles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 19, 2023•30 min
The Indiana Republican Party is doing everything in their power to prevent egg farmer John Rust from challenging Jim Banks in the US Senate Primary. Including spending a whole bunch of taxpayer money. Attorney General Todd Rokita has hired super lawyer Jim Bopp to fight Rust's lawsuit to get on the ballot. And he isn't coming cheap. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss Rokita's big expense and the mess that is ballot access in Indiana. S...
Oct 11, 2023•30 min
Former State Senator Luke Kenley threw his weight behind fixing the property tax system in Indiana. Kenley, who was Appropriations Chairman for eight years, told lawmakers fixing the broken property tax system would have a much bigger impact than eliminating the income tax. Will Kenley's support be the voice taxpayers need to get meaningful relief? On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss the possibilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
Oct 04, 2023•30 min
In an article appearing in the Indiana Business Journal, Governor Eric Holcomb said he has no regrets over his executive orders during COVID shutdowns. The governor's lack of remorse or empathy, which included costing many people their jobs and businesses, have left conservatives very upset. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Holcomb's defense of his years long mandates in Indiana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Sep 28, 2023•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is facing charges from the Disciplinary Commission over comments he made on Fox News about an abortion doctor. The hearing could result in anything from a reprimand to Rokita losing his law license. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall is joined by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt to discuss the latest drama, which seems to follow the Attorney General wherever he goes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 21, 2023•30 min
The race to be the next Governor of Indiana is heating up. Five of the six declared Republican candidates descended upon Hamilton County for the GOP Fall Dinner and gave speeches to more than 600 people in attendance. Did anyone move the needle or make a difference with a huge group of still undecided voters? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 14, 2023•30 min
Former Head of the IEDC Brad Chambers is making a big bet on establishment heavyweights carrying him to Governor of Indiana. In addition to adding high profile names like former GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer to his campaign, Chambers has also loaned himself $5 million to get started. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss if Chambers' gamble will pay off, and if his establishment hires will propel him to victory. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Sep 07, 2023•30 min
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch has said she wants to eliminate the income tax as her signature economic proposal in her run for governor. But lack of details, specifically how she plans to pay for it, have left many with doubts it can be implemented. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz examine Crouch's proposal and discuss why it's getting a chilly reception. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 30, 2023•30 min
Indiana Republican Party boss Kyle Hupfer announced he is stepping down. In his place, Governor Eric Holcomb has nominated long time party insider Anne Hathaway to take his place. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss why Hupfer is leaving, where he's going, and what Hathaway's appointment will mean to the state party. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 24, 2023•30 min
Micah Beckwith's outsider campaign for Lt. Governor has many Republican insiders wanting to rethink how the choice is made. Governor Eric Holcomb threw cold water on that idea this week, when he back the continuation of delegates making the choice at convention. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss why Holcomb came out in favor of the status quo, and what's next for the establishment in order to get their desired candidate. See omnystudi...
Aug 17, 2023•30 min
The apparent alliance between Suzanne Crouch and Greg Pence was short lived. After reports surfaced that Pence was Crouch's choice to be her Lt. Governor, and her campaign confirmed he was being considered, Crouch reversed course, saying Pence should run on his own at convention like anyone else. So what happened? On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss why Crouch is separating herself from the Congressman. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
Aug 09, 2023•30 min
In recent weeks, former Vice President Mike Pence has taken a hardline stance against President Donald Trump. Pence has offered strong rebukes of Trump on a variety of topics, most recently criticizing his actions on and around January 6. Pence's comments have stoked strong backlash from many in the Republican Party, leaving Pence floundering in the polls and currently short of the donor threshold to even qualify for the debates. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall along with Jim M...
Aug 03, 2023•30 min
Republican Candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis Jefferson Shreve angered conservatives with his proposal for gun control as part of his Public Safety Plan. After weeks of conservative pushback, Shreve appeared on Kendall and Casey radio show to discuss the plan and try to ease fears. It doesn't appear to have worked. On this week's Statehouse Happenings , Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the interview, and why Shreve may have fallen short of his goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Jul 27, 2023•30 min
Republican Candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis, Jefferson Shreve released his public safety plan last week. Part of the plan called for banning certain guns, raising the age to purchase a firearm, and ending the ability to carry without a permit. The plan has angered many conservatives in Marion County, who have said it is both illegal and unconstitutional. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the fallout, and if Shreve can win those voters back. See omnystud...
Jul 20, 2023•30 min
Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is attempting a political comeback, announcing this week he is running for governor. He joined Rob Kendall and Casey Daniels on Wednesday on The Kendall and Casey Show to discuss his successes as Attorney General, why he was targeted by the establishment, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected governor. Kendall and Casey's interview with Curtis Hill, along with some commentary from former State Senator Jim Merritt is this week's Statehouse Happenin...
Jul 12, 2023•30 min
Last week, Indiana's Supreme Court upheld new restrictions on abortion. The Indiana General Assembly passed the new restrictions last summer after the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall looks at the State Supreme Court's ruling, how the General Assembly wrote a good bill with good process, and why the ruling is another example of why Democrats can't win in Indiana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 05, 2023•30 min
State Representative Randy Frye has announced he is resigning in the middle of his term. Frye cited unspecified health issues as the reason. Frye's resignation with over a year to go, has once again raised red flags on how lawmakers are replaced in Indiana, where a small group of party insiders select the new office holder. This not only gives the people representation they didn't elect, but the winner a huge head start on re-election. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Micah ...
Jun 27, 2023•30 min
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb took another pass on endorsing his Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch, in her 2024 run for governor. Holcomb has now had multiple opportunities to support Crouch and has refused each time. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss why Holcomb would keep taking declining to publicly back his very loyal Number Two. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 22, 2023•30 min
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb penned an Op-Ed in the Indy Star, lamenting spending and printing of money by the Federal Government. However, Holcomb was king of the federal cash during COVID, admitting he left his Emergency Declaration in place long after the state was fully opened, so he could secure more federal money. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the hypocritical take from Indiana's Governor. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
Jun 15, 2023•30 min
Pastor Micah Beckwith announced Monday he is running for Lt. Governor in 2024. In order to win, he may need to defy the party's nominee for governor and defeat their preferred choice. He will do that by making his case to delegates at the State Convention next year. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Beckwith joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss why he's running and how he plans to emerge victorious. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 08, 2023•30 min
Former Indiana Governor Mike Pence is set to declare a run for president on June 7. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss how Pence came to the decision and what his path to the presidency is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 01, 2023•30 min
Indianapolis suburbs have seen a blue move over the past decade. Unchecked growth has enabled an influx of Democrat voters to move to once solidly Republican communities. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Micah Beckwith discuss the cause of the changing demographics, what the impact has been on towns and cities, and if anything can be done to reverse the tide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 24, 2023•30 min
Former Indiana General Attorney General Curtis Hill is reportedly considering a run for governor. Hill's political career was derailed over alleged interactions with women in bar while Attorney General. However, Hill remains a favorite of many conservatives. In a thus far uninspiring Republican field, could Hill complete an incredible comeback and secure hist party's nomination? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
May 18, 2023•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has struck a deal, using taxpayer money, with a high-powered Terre Haute lawyer to help him fight the release of an opinion from the Inspector General regarding his second job. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the optics of Rokita spending the public's money to attempt to keep them in the dark on an important topic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 11, 2023•30 min
The race for Mayor of Indianapolis is set. In shows of dominance, businessman Jefferson Shreve cruised to victory on the Republican side, while incumbent Joe Hogsett made short work of his Democrat opponents. Now the General Election will feature Shreve's huge personal wealth against Hogsett's Democrat machine. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss who is likely to come out on top. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 04, 2023•30 min
With one day to go in session, the State Budget has been approved by Republican leaders. And barring some last-minute changes, it includes massive raises for statewide elected officials such as the governor and Attorney General. However, there is very little for many taxpayers in the budget, including no meaningful property tax relief. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss the optics of lawmakers taking care of themselves while the citizens continue to suffer....
Apr 27, 2023•30 min
It only took three years, but Indiana House Republicans have finally voted to get to the bottom of the lockdowns and mandates from Governor Eric Holcomb during COVID. An amendment to Senate Bill 4 has passed, which would form a commission to examine actions taken not just be the state, but also local governments. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss what took so long and what should be the lasting lessons from Holcomb's executive actions. See omnystudio.com/l...
Apr 20, 2023•30 min
After months of taxpayers being concerned House Republicans had not done enough with property tax relief, Senate Republicans said it was too much. Earlier in the week, they removed almost all significant help to taxpayers from the House bill. With next to nothing left, and almost no time to fix it, home owners are left looking at bleak prospects. Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 13, 2023•30 min
