It was another wild year in Indiana politics and government. Among the many stories that captivated the public's attention were allegations from multiple women about unwanted sexual advances from Democrat power players. These allegedly occurred both in the Statehouse and the Mayor's Office. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss how the allegations rocked Indiana and may alter politics and government going forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
Dec 23, 2024•30 min
It was a wild year in Indiana politics and government, with many big stories dominating the news cycle. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Jim Merritt and Rob Kendall take a look back at the year that was and discuss some of the biggest headlines of 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 16, 2024•30 min
Former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has claimed vindication as a years old lawsuit against him was dropped. The lawsuit was related to alleged inappropriate behavior in a bar back in 2018. After the women dropped their lawsuit, Hill again professed his innocence and claimed the women's decision to drop the case was proof of such. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt examine the apparent end to the years long saga, and if Hill can ever mak...
Dec 11, 2024•30 min
Randy Head's abrupt resignation as head of the Indiana Republican Party has revealed a position and selection process about which there are many unanswered questions. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall ponders a run for the position to bring transparency to the process, while panelists Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz try to make sense of how it all works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 04, 2024•30 min
On this week's Statehouse Happenings, incoming Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith sits down with Rob Kendall for a wide-ranging interview. The two discuss his upset victory at the GOP Convention, helping Mike Braun power to victory in November, his plans to make Indiana government better and more accountable, and much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 25, 2024•30 min
An expose in the Indy Star about Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor allege he made inappropriate advancements towards multiple women who worked in Statehouse. The article's details, coupled with Taylor's lack of denial, and his reappointment to lead Democrats in the Senate, rocked Org Day. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the allegations, as well as the future of the Democrats on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 20, 2024•30 min
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz dropped a bombshell post to his IndyPolitics.org website this week when he claimed the Feds are investigating Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. Shabazz alleges Morales is under investigation for "alleged allegations of money laundering and violating the federal racketeering statute." If indeed the allegations of investigation are true, it could be the biggest story in the history of Indiana politics. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Shabazz joins Rob Kendall and ...
Nov 12, 2024•30 min
The media wanted you to believe it was going to be a different 2024 for Indiana Democrats. Election Day came and Election Day went, and the results were largely the same from previous years: Double digit wins across the board for Republicans. From Jennifer McCormick running for governor, to Destiny Wells attempting to become Attorney General, it was a massive under performance based on expectations. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss w...
Nov 06, 2024•30 min
Jennifer McCormick has made her supposed "Common Sense" approach to government a central theme of her campaign. This included trying to label Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith extremists unfit for office. Central to that, has been a statewide television ad featuring "Walter", a Republican who claimed to be fed up with radical views of both Braun and Beckwith. But an investigation into "Walter" revealed the man in front of the camera has shared many opinions on social media that align much more with ...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min
Liberals in Indiana are still seething over the Indiana Supreme Court's decision to uphold the state's abortion ban. This election season they're trying to do something about it. With three justices up for retention, the left is making a strong play to get people to vote against retaining the judges. Will they succeed? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 23, 2024•30 min
Attorney General Todd Rokita and his Democrat challenger Destiny Wells squared off in a debate aired on Fox 59 and CBS 4. While there were no moments that were likely to alter the outcome of the election, Wells clearly got under Rokita's skin on multiple occasions. And according to Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, it was a comment by Rokita about the employment of Wells in the AG's Office that could have ramifications for the incumbent down the road. Shabazz, along with host Rob Kendall and former State Sen...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min
After a lackluster debate performance in his one-on-one debate with Jennifer McCormick, some Republicans were worried about the state of Mike Braun's campaign. But Braun appeared to ease concerns and reset the race in the second debate, with a much stronger performance. Some are giving credit to the appearance of Libertarian Donald Rainwater on the stage. Not only did Rainwater take away much of Democrat Jennifer McCormick's direct firepower at Braun, but many of Rainwater's positions made Braun...
Oct 09, 2024•30 min
A new poll commissioned by Indy Politics has Republicans up big in all statewide races against their Democrat opponents...but one. While Mike Braun is ahead of Jennifer McCormick by seven points in the race for governor, his advantage is far less than the double digit leads the rest of his fellow Republicans hold. Which has left some asking, is there a path to victory for McCormick? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com...
Oct 02, 2024•30 min
Still several weeks away from Election Day, but Democrats appear headed for another round of huge losses for statewide races in Indiana. The answer for their electoral blues may lie in a recent feud between Statehouse Happenings host Rob Kendall and Democrat Attorney General Candidate Destiny Wells. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine the recent back and forth between Kendall and Wells, and what the Democrats can learn from it for future el...
Sep 25, 2024•30 min
A new poll from Emerson appears to be bad news for Indiana Democrats seeking statewide office. From Governor to Attorney General, Republicans hold double digit leads over their Democrat counterparts. The results were in stark contrast to a Democrat poll released last week that showed multiple races being competitive. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt examine the conflicting polls and try to get an accurate view of Indiana's political landscape...
Sep 18, 2024•30 min
Democrat Candidate for Attorney General Destiny Wells is putting out a new poll that she claims puts her within striking distance of Republican Todd Rokita. But in a state that almost always goes strong for Republicans statewide, and Wells big loss to Diego Morales for Secretary of State just two years ago, how much of a predictor is this poll on what's likely to happen in November? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com...
Sep 12, 2024•30 min
The Democrat and Republican Candidates for Governor are hitting the television airwaves. And their ads leave a lot to be desired. Not just for what they are saying, but also what they aren't. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob, Abdul, and Jim Merritt examine the opening messages from Mike Braun and Jennifer McCormick and predict what might come next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 05, 2024•30 min
It appears the Jamey Noel saga may finally be coming to an end...for now. The disgraced former Clark County Sheriff and Republican power player pled guilty to 27 felony counts on Monday. While the judge has yet to accept Noel's guilty plea, and Noel's wife and child's future remain in doubt, the biggest question for many remains unanswered. That is, what did Governor Eric Holcomb, one of Noel's best friends and closest political allies, know about Noel's activities and when? Rob Kendall, Jim Mer...
Aug 29, 2024•30 min
In a move to unite factions of the Indiana Republican Party, WIBC's Rob Kendall and Republican Candidate for Governor Mike Braun appeared together after Kendall's endorsement of Braun the day before. The pair agreed about the need to work together and support Braun to help him enter 2025 with a mandate to pass meaningful property tax reform. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt preview the 2024 Governor's race, and how a big Braun win might help sha...
Aug 22, 2024•30 min
All three candidates for Lt. Governor met at the State Fair on Tuesday to debate. For close to an hour, they debated everything from property taxes to water rights. According to the Statehouse Happenings panel, a clear victor emerged at the end. And it might surprise many. On this week's program, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss who got the biggest bump from the spirited back and forth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 15, 2024•30 min
A new piece in Mirror Indy about longtime Joe Hogsett advisor Thomas Cook has rocked Indianapolis politics. In a follow-up to a piece in the Indianapolis Star , multiple women have come forward, and agreed to be named, alleging inappropriate behavior by Cook when he was Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis. The women also allege Mayor Joe Hogsett was aware of the allegations and did little to address them. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine th...
Aug 08, 2024•30 min
It was a good rollout for Mike Braun...until it wasn't. The Republican Candidate for Governor impressed many with his initial property tax overhaul plan, centered around resetting tax bills to 2021 levels. However, he was then met with outrage, after the campaign clarified it was tied to an enhanced Homestead deduction, and the specifics were revealed to leave many without any relief at all. Then Braun decided to allow taxpayers a choice: Enhanced Homestead credit OR 2021 bill. Whichever is lowe...
Aug 01, 2024•30 min
The home where former Congressional Candidate Gabe Whitley lives was searched by the FBI last week. Reportedly, multiple devices were seized. While it is not known exactly what authorities were looking for, it could be related to allegations of campaign finance violations that plagued Whitley throughout the primary. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at the latest twist in the never-ending saga of "Honest" Gabe. See omnystudio.com/...
Jul 25, 2024•30 min
It was a strange Indiana Democrat Convention to say the least. From a Republican Candidate for Congress campaigning for a Democrat Candidate for Lt. Governor, to the announcement of the failed attempt on former President Donald Trump's life, delegates were exposed to a different convention than in year's past. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz break down the day's events, and if the Democrat Nominees for Attorney General and Lt. Governor give ...
Jul 17, 2024•30 min
Indiana Democrats are set to host their state convention this Saturday. There are multiple contested offices delegates will have to make choices on. From an old guard vs new guard contest in the Attorney General's race, to activist outrage at the party's preferred Lt. Governor choice, passions are sure to be high. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt preview what could be a wild day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 11, 2024•30 min
Libertarian Candidate for Governor Donald Rainwater surprised many by announcing he had raised over $100,000 in the quarter. The fundraising haul not only improves his chances of appearing in all televised debates, but also shows he has kept much of the support he had during an impressive 2020 run. With much of Rainwater's 2020 support coming from upset Republicans, there's a real chance he could harm Mike Braun's chances if they don't return to voting for the GOP candidate. On this week's State...
Jul 03, 2024•30 min
For a brief period, Indiana Republicans were seen as being in chaos over the selection of Micah Beckwith to be their Lt. Governor nominee. But that spotlight didn't last long. Now it is the Democrats who are reeling, as Jennifer McCormick has picked former State Representative Terry Goodin to be her preferred running mate. Goodin's pro-life and anti-gay equality votes have sparked outrage from Democrats across the state, with some vowing to stop him at convention. Will they succeed? Rob Kendall,...
Jun 26, 2024•30 min
In what came as a shock to many, Micah Beckwith was victorious over Julie McGuire in the race for Lt. Governor at the Indiana Republican Party State Convention. Beckwith proved victorious, despite McGuire having the endorsement of Governor Nominee Mike Braun, most Statehouse officials, and even former President Donald Trump. So why did Beckwith beat them all? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt explore his underdog win on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
Jun 19, 2024•30 min
Democrats in Indiana are in shambles ahead of their state convention. Their U.S. Senate candidate is mostly unknown, their governor nominee is struggling to raise money, and no one seems to want to be her Lt. Governor. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, as the Republicans prepare for a wild convention of their own, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt explore how things got so bad for Indiana Democrats. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 12, 2024•30 min
A piece from the Indiana Capital Chronicle is shining a new light on the unbelievable saga of disgraced former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, and all the Republican Party power players he rubbed elbows with over the years. The biggest question now, is who knew what about Noel and when? That includes one of his closest friends and political allies, Governor Eric Holcomb. When pressed about his relationship with Noel and what he was aware of, the governor had very little to say. On this week's S...
Jun 06, 2024•30 min
