The Rob Kendall Show Podcast

Despite repeated warnings from Senate President, Pro Tempore Rod Bray, Governor Mike Braun insisted on an up or down vote on mid-cycle redistricting. He got his wish late last week. In the face of intense pressure from not just Braun, but also Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and Turning Point USA, the senate resoundingly rejected adopting new congressional maps by a vote of 31-19. In a saga with many losers, arguably Indiana's Governor...

With a final vote scheduled for Thursday in the Senate, the push for mid-cycle redistricting has hit the home stretch in Indiana. With both sides amping up the pressure, will Governor Mike Braun be able to muscle it across the finish line? Or will the governor suffer an embarrassing defeat in front of the entire nation? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings.

See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

The Indiana House of Representatives is meeting this week and appear ready to approve a new congressional map against public outcry. The real drama begins next week, when the senate will meet to discuss redistricting. Many believe the upper chamber still does not have the votes to approve Governor Mike Braun's top priority. Led by Rod Bray, could the Indiana Senate be set to deliver an embarrassing blow to Braun in front of the ent...

The Indiana Senate met for Organization Day and said we will see you in January. That appeared to leave Governor Mike Braun's quest for mid cycle redistricting without a path forward. Braun did not take the news well with a flurry of interviews and statements demanding senators return in December to vote on new maps. The governor also threatened to compel senators to return and said he would work to defeat those who did not. On thi...

There appears to be a new trend at Indiana Republican functions: The media isn't welcome. From an outright ban at the State Fall Dinner to only allowing media if they purchased a ticket at an event in Owen County, it appears Republicans don't want the media covering their events. The question is why? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

State Senator Greg Goode claims he is undecided on redistricting in Indiana. So he held a townhall in Terre Haute to hear from his constituents. Overwhelmingly, they came out against the idea. In fact, not one person spoke in favor. The event was a disaster for Republicans who claimed polls showing Hoosiers do not want redistricting were wrong. Will Goode's townhall be a red flag to other senators on the fence? Rob Kendall and Abdu...

Reporting from multiple media outlets in Central Indiana have confirmed what has been reported for months: Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith's Office is under investigation by a Marion County Grand Jury. According to the Indy Star and others, the investigation is related to potential sharing of intimate images and ghost employment. The Lt. Governor has repeatedly denied knowledge of the investigation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings...

The future of utility bills could hang in the balance with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission set to appoint three new members. Luckily for Statehouse Happenings, we got a guy! Our own panelist Jim Merritt serves on the committee making the recommendations to the governor. On this week's program, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz join Merritt to discuss what he and the panel are looking for in from applicants. 

See omn...

Within hours of each other, multiple polls showed that Hoosiers are down on redistricting and their governor. As sour as Indiana residents appear to be on changing congressional maps, they may be even less impressed with Mike Braun's performance. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss why the governor and General Assembly won't let redistricting go, and how Braun can right th...

Beau Bayh, son of former Indiana Governor and US Senator Evan Bayh has announced he is running for Secretary of State. This sets up a potential matchup between Bayh and Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales. Bayh's entry to the race gives Democrats perhaps their best opportunity in years to pick up a statewide office. Can Bayh bring the Democrats back to relevance in Indiana? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt ...

Several months have passed since Governor Braun signed a much-reviled property tax reform bill into law. As more people learn about the specifics of the bill, public sentiment is only getting worse. From local governments who feel they're losing too much, to taxpayers who did not feel they got nearly enough, the governor's signature issue of 2025 has become a major liability. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Ji...

Veteran Indianapolis newsman Jim Shella recently sat down with Indiana Senate President, Pro Tempore Rod Bray. One of the questions Shella asked Bray was about Republican plans to redraw congressional districts across the state. Bray wanted no part of the question and refused to provide an answer with any specifics. Which has our Statehouse Happenings crew questioning why the redistricting question rages on if even party leadership...

Indiana's Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Suzie Jaworowski has made headlines for encouraging companies attempting energy projects to sue local governments if they don't get their way. Jaworoski, a cabinet member of Governor Mike Braun, made the shocking remarks while speaking to the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. Her attacks on local governments across the state sparked immediate blowback. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz...

State Public Safety Secretary Jennifer-Ruth Green abruptly resigned last week, raising red flags across Indiana. Then via reporting from the Indiana Captial Chronicle, it came to light that the wheels had apparently been in motion for quite some time, following a remediation agreement in July. The agreement came while Green was the subject of an investigation from the Inspector General. What will be the fallout from the once rising...

The folks at Fox 59 and CBS 4 have produced a map they claim could potentially be under consideration by Republican lawmakers for a special session regarding redistricting. But no one publicly claims to know where it has come from and many in the GOP appear to be distancing themselves from it being something they're reviewing. The map takes gerrymandering to a whole new level and has sparked fierce backlash. On this week's Statehou...

Indiana Republicans went to the White House to talk redistricting. Back home, the public isn't buying it according to a new poll. Change Research says 52 percent of Hoosiers are against redistricting, while the majority want lawmakers to focus on more pressing issues like inflation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the legislators' trip to Washington and if public senti...