The Republican race for Lt. Governor is heating up. And it may be closer than some think. Mike Braun has announced he will be touring the state with his handpicked choice Julie McGuire. Can Braun's pitch make the difference with delegates? Or will Micah Beckwith's campaign to hold the Republican Party accountable continue to resonate? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 30, 2024•30 min
Republican Candidate for Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith joined Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt this week on Statehouse Happenings. The wide-ranging conversation about his unique campaign touched on everything from a strong desire to hold the Indiana GOP accountable, to his plan to fix skyrocketing property taxes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 23, 2024•30 min
Mike Braun is pulling out all the stops to try and prevent Micah Beckwith from becoming the party's nominee for Lt. Governor. From high profile endorsements to allegedly tough talk in private conversations, the GOP Nominee for Governor is trying to flex his political muscles to get Julie McGuire across the finish line at convention. Will the in-your-face approach work with delegates or will it backfire? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happening...
May 15, 2024•30 min
Mike Braun wasted no time making his selection on who he would like to be his running mate. One day after winning the Republican Primary, Braun said he would prefer delegates to the State Convention pick State Representative Julie McGuire. That sets up what is likely to be a bruising race with Pastor Micah Beckwith, who has been securing delegates for months. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt preview Beckwith vs McGuire this June. See omnystu...
May 09, 2024•30 min
Another year, another round of skyrocketing property tax assessments are hitting mailboxes. Once again, voters are angry. But few candidates running for public office appear to have an answer on what to do. Including the six candidates running for governor. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine voter outrage over property taxes and why the politicians continue to evade coming up with a sustainable solution. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
May 01, 2024•30 min
The final Republican debate for governor was held Tuesday night and was panned by many as a complete trainwreck. Most of the criticism was divided between the moderator and the Indiana Debate Commission. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss the disastrous evening, and how debates might change as a result. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita appeared to throw his support behind Micah Beckwith in the upcoming Lt. Governor's Race, which will play out at the Republican State Convention in June. At a recent candidate forum, Rokita spoke fondly of Beckwith's candidacy and described it as an "insurance policy." On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Rokita's apparent endorsement and what impact it might have on convention delegates. See omnystudio...
Apr 18, 2024•30 min
Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the state, and a close friend and political ally of Governor Eric Holcomb, is headed to jail after being found in contempt of court by a Scott County judge. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, and Jim Merritt discuss why Indianapolis media has remained largely silent on Noel's downfall, and why they refuse to ask Holcomb what he knew about Noel and when. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Apr 10, 2024•30 min
Mike Braun was hit with one of the largest fines in FEC history, over reporting mistakes from his 2018 run for US Senate. How will it impact his 2024 run for governor? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 04, 2024•30 min
After over an hour and 30 minutes of completely wasting everyone's time, Congressional Candidate "Honest" Gabe Whitley had his petition for a protective order against Abdul-Hakim Shabazz quickly denied. It was a court hearing that bordered on the unbelievable at times, and the insulting and embarrassing at others. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Abdul joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt to discuss his big win in a court of law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 26, 2024•30 min
The incredibly bizarre saga of Congressional Candidate "Honest" Gabe Whitley is set to take another strange turn Monday, when he is seeking a protective order against Abdul-Hakim Shabazz. Abdul says not only is Whitley's complaint full of it, but he has also perjured himself in the process. Add to that, numerous other serious issues facing Whitley, including complaints to the IED and FEC over alleged campaign finance report violations, Monday is shaping up to have a lot of fireworks. Abdul joins...
Mar 22, 2024•30 min
The first debate between Republicans who want to become the next Governor of Indiana failed to deliver Monday. In more than an hour, the candidates failed to deliver much sizzle, and spent very little time going after or separating themselves from each other. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt break down the underwhelming debate performances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 14, 2024•30 min
Despite mounting problems with things likes taxes, Medicaid and the budget, Indiana Republicans have trained their focus this legislative session on gutting the power and tools of the Public Access Counselor. Led by Senator Aaron Freeman, the GOP is set to take away the independence of the office and many of the resources the Public Access Counselor uses to help ensure transparency. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the potential impa...
Mar 07, 2024•30 min
Statehouse Happenings co-host Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is scheduled to head to court. It involves the bizarre saga of Congressional Candidate Gabriel Whitley, a story which becomes stranger by the day. According to Shabazz, Whitley has asked for a protective order against him, and Abdul hopes to find out why at a hearing next week. Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt join Abdul to discuss why "Honest" Gabe might be afraid of Abdul. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 29, 2024•30 min
Indiana Capital Chronicle broke an incredible story this week involving 7th District Congressional Candidate Gabriel Whitley. In the piece, they cited complaints against Whitley to the Indiana Election Division and Federal Election Commission, which allege multiple violations, including excessive campaign contributions and fraudulent finance reporting. From donors that cannot be located, to a political consulting firm that does not appear to be registered, the Capital Chronicle story details an ...
Feb 22, 2024•30 min
Results from Senate Republican Citizen Surveys are out, and overwhelmingly Hoosiers are demanding legislators do something about skyrocketing property taxes. But lawmakers appear hesitant to act, for fear of angering local government officials. The people vs. the government. Who is likely to win the battle at the Statehouse in 2025? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the Indiana GOP's big conundrum on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
Feb 15, 2024•30 min
Victoria Spartz has changed her mind. After spending close to a year announcing she would not seek re-election, Spartz announced last week she will indeed run for a third term. The decision has alienated former allies who have already endorsed other candidates seeking her seat. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss Spartz's decision and what the fallout will be for the upcoming primary in the 5th Congressional District. See omnystudio.com...
Feb 08, 2024•30 min
State Representative Jim Lucas has once again found himself at the center of controversy. The embattled lawmaker, who recently pled guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident, set off a firestorm at the Statehouse on Wednesday, when he flashed a weapon at a group of school children. Lucas has attempted to downplay the incident. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Lucas' latest controversy and wha...
Feb 01, 2024•30 min
Jamey Noel appears to be in hot water. The former Clark County Sheriff and current County GOP Chairman is facing numerous criminal charges involving both his time as sheriff and overseeing a non-profit. According to IndyPolitics.org the charges include corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct, theft and tax evasion. Based on recent court documents, it appears Noel's wife could also be charged. Over the years, Noel had cultivated a very close personal and political relati...
Jan 25, 2024•30 min
Campaign finance reports are out for the six candidates running for governor in Indiana. Collectively, they brought in more than $18 million. The massive fundraising haul was led by Brad Chambers who gave himself $5 million. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at the fundraising reports, and what it might tell us about the upcoming primary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 18, 2024•30 min
Indiana Congressmen Larry Bucshon and Greg Pence unexpectedly announced their retirements at the end of 2024. The decisions set off a flood of rumors and quick actions, as potential replacements are rushing to get their campaigns in place. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the potential fallout from their surprise retirements. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 11, 2024•30 min
Between the legislative session and contested primaries galore, it is shaping up to be an exciting next several months in Indiana politics and government. One of the unknowns is how an increase in new media operations plan to use their resources to cover it all. From independent journalists to start-up non-profits, a bevy of eyes and ears now exist to monitor the Statehouse and elected officials that were not around just a few years ago. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-H...
Jan 03, 2024•30 min
John Rust's big win that could dramatically change ballot access laws in Indiana, Todd Rokita's run-ins with the Disciplinary Commission, and a massive blunder on Medicaid are the top stories for Statehouse Happenings in 2023. On this week's program, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz take a look back at an exciting year that was in Indiana politics and government and preview a potentially explosive 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 28, 2023•30 min
It turns out the State of Indiana was way off on their calculations when it comes to funding Medicaid in 2024. Now there's an estimated $1 billion shortfall. This has left lawmakers upset and scrambling for answers and solutions. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz examine what went wrong, why, and what the long-term impact might be to Indiana taxpayers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 20, 2023•30 min
U.S. Senate Candidate John Rust scored a major victory last week as a judge threw out an Indiana election law recently put into place by Republicans that would have barred him from running in the Republican Primary. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the landmark ruling and how it could change Indiana's political landscape going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 13, 2023•30 min
Former Attorney General Curtis Hill is running in the Republican Primary for Governor. Recently, he sat down with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz of IndyPolitics.org for a wide-ranging interview. In the conversation, he wasn't shy about offering his thoughts on current Governor Eric Holcomb and Attorney General Todd Rokita. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall is joined by Shabazz and Jim Merritt to discuss Hill's comments and the current state of the governor's race. See omnystudio.com/listene...
Dec 07, 2023•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is again facing potential action from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. Once again, it is his words that have may get him in trouble. Shortly after signing an affidavit accepting responsibility for inappropriate comments made about an abortion doctor on Fox News in exchange for a reprimand from the Supreme Court, Rokita appeared to deny he had done anything wrong in a press release. This has led to another set of complaints to the Commission ...
Nov 30, 2023•30 min
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita got his likely Democrat competition in 2024. On Monday, Destiny Wells, who lost badly to Diego Morales for Secretary of State in 2022, announced she is running for Attorney General. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Well's entry into the race, and if she has a shot to defeat Rokita next November. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 21, 2023•30 min
Governor Eric Holcomb and the IEDC have big plans for their LEAP District in Boone County, which they claim will garner billions in economic development. The only problem is, they lack sufficient water resources. Their plan? Get it from water-rich Tippecanoe County. But residents in Tippecanoe County aren't excited about sharing. The plan to syphon off a hundred million gallons of water a day has people up in arms and has sparked concern from politicians. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Ro...
Nov 15, 2023•30 min
As many expected, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett easily secured a third term over Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve. The big win came despite Shreve spending millions of his own personal fortune. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss another terrible performance from the Marion County GOP, and what has to be done to start making Indianapolis competitive again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 08, 2023•30 min
