The Rob Kendall Show Podcast

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 ...

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...

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....

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 violati...

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. 

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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...

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. 

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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...

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 we...

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 upcom...

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 ...

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 yea...

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.

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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.  

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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 year...

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.

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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.  

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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. 

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