Slightly more Indiana voters cast ballots in this year’s midterm election than in the last one four years ago despite predictions of a much bigger turnout.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels will outline his 2011 legislative priorities Thursday, and his agenda could be a bit bigger now that the GOP has a firm grip on the Indiana House and Senate.
Indiana Democrats are looking for a life preserver heading toward 2012. And their best hope might rest with the man some blame in part for at least one of the party’s losses: retiring Sen. Evan Bayh.
The school plan that House Republicans presented during the campaign calls for giving parents more options, holding teachers accountable and putting more education dollars in classrooms rather than administration.
Indiana Rep. Mike Pence alluded to a potential presidential bid in a statement he issued to his colleagues announcing he will step down as GOP conference chairman.
With new control of the Indiana House, Republican lawmakers plan to pursue an agenda focused on encouraging the private sector to create jobs and passing a budget without tax increases.
Republicans picked up the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democrat Evan Bayh and two southern Indiana congressional seats that had been held by Democrats. They also appeared poised to claim a two-thirds majority in the Indiana Senate and take control of the state House of Representatives.
Republicans defeated Democratic Rep. Baron Hill and captured another seat Tuesday that the party had targeted as part of its effort to win control of the U.S. House, but Rep. Joe Donnelly prevented a GOP sweep of Indiana’s three swing districts.
Democrat Terry Curry has been elected Marion County prosecutor, defeating Republican candidate Mark Massa in a close race. Democrats also won the sheriff’s race and other countywide seats.
Democrats have held onto one of the most hotly contested congressional seats in the country with Rep. Joe Donnelly barely winning re-election Tuesday in northern Indiana’s 2nd district.
Republican Charlie White overcame allegations of voter fraud to become Indiana’s next chief election officer, and Republican incumbents held onto their jobs as auditor and treasurer.
Republican Todd Young has defeated five-term Democratic Rep. Baron Hill in southern Indiana’s 9th district, dealing Democrats a second loss in congressional seats they held in the state.
Republican Larry Bucshon has won southwestern Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, giving the GOP a U.S. House seat that Democrats have held the last four years.
Republicans gained a Senate seat in Indiana and powered to leads in 10 House districts currently held by Democrats in midterm elections Tuesday night, early fruits of a drive to break the Democrats’ grip on power in Congress.
Democratic Rep. Andre Carson has easily won election to a second term from Indiana’s 7th Congressional District despite his unwavering support for President Barack Obama.
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita has kept the state’s 4th Congressional District in the Republican column by winning the election to replace retiring Rep. Steve Buyer.
Coats defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth and Libertarian Rebecca Sink-Burris on Tuesday in the race to succeed Democrat Evan Bayh. The GOP counted on a Coats victory to help the party win the 10 seats it needs to gain control of the Senate.
