On Wednesday, Gov. Mike Braun announced that Indiana’s sales tax and excise tax on gasoline— totaling $0.59 per gallon—will be suspended for 30 days, following April’s suspension of the sales tax alone.
Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne.
Photo provided.
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne: “I am grateful that Hoosiers will get relief at the pump for another 30 days. Rep. Gregory W. Porter called for suspending both the sales tax and excise tax on gasoline last month, and House Democrats are glad Gov. Braun has now taken that step. However, our governor can also lobby his allies in D.C. to ease prices at the pump.
“Gas was affordable until the president chose to escalate in Iran with no clear strategy, no defined goals and no exit plan. That choice disrupted global energy markets, and Hoosiers are paying for it every time they fill up. Suspending both gas taxes gives Hoosiers $0.59 back per gallon, but the president’s policy chaos is costing them far more than that. We’re putting a band-aid on a wound the White House created.
“It’s time for Gov. Braun and Indiana’s congressional Republicans to push for an end to the war in Iran. This is the single most effective action they could take today to bring down prices for Hoosiers in the long term, not just this month.”
Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis.
Photo provided.
Rep. Gregory W. Porter, D-Indianapolis: “I’m thankful that Braun is no longer hiding behind legal precedent and has suspended the gas excise tax. Gas prices hit $4.99 here in Indy. Republicans, both state and federal, are responsible for this mess. Hoosiers shouldn’t suffer financially from their decisions. Now, people will get some actual savings at the pump instead of a handful of change. We’ll cover our losses with our $5 billion surplus. Indiana doesn’t need any more tax revenue; what this state needs is for people to keep more of their paychecks. “
In a press release, the Marion County Democratic Party said it was celebrating the results of Tuesday’s historic primary election.
From the press release: “Unofficial results from the May 5, 2026 primary indicate that Indy Democrats turned out in record numbers, reflecting a county that is ready to push back against the Trump administration’s attacks on working families and their livelihoods.
“Of the 99,645 ballots cast across Marion County, Democrats accounted for more than 80,000 votes, approximately 80% of all votes cast. That Democratic margin dominates Republican primary turnout by more than 4-to-1. This year’s overall primary turnout of 15.8% marks a new high, surpassing the 13.6% recorded in the 2024 primary and the 10.8% in 2022. More Indianapolis voters are turning out, and they are turning out for Democrats.”
Myla A. Eldridge, chair of the Marion County Democratic Party: “Last night is proof that Marion County Democrats are fired up and ready to fight. The frustration Democrats feel right now is real and voters showed that yesterday. We are going to channel that frustration into organizing and turning out Indy Democrats in full force this November.”
House Democratic Caucus Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne: “Yesterday, Hoosiers made a clear statement that they are fed up with the Republican establishment and their two decades of their policies. Statewide, Democrats beat their turnout numbers from the 2024 Gubernatorial Primary, the 2022 Indiana Senate Democratic Primary and the 2018 Indiana Democratic Senate Primary. This kind of enthusiasm shows that Hoosiers are ready for change and an end to the Republican Supermajority.
“While multiple Republican state house members fell to primary challengers, Indiana State House Democrat incumbents handily won their primary races. When money and resources were allocated in Republican primaries to highlight the unpopular policies of the Supermajority agenda, voters rejected it. In contrast, voters overwhelmingly supported the vision of our Caucus to lower health care costs for Hoosier families, strengthen public education, and bring down utility bills.
“Finally, our Caucus is proud of the success of our new challengers all over the state. In Hamilton County, State House Democratic Candidates had their highest raw vote totals since 2018, with the exception of 2020. Several rural State House districts, including those in southern Indiana, saw the highest Democratic voter turnout since 2018.
“We look forward to the November general election, where we will continue to fight for true Hoosier values and bring balance back to the State House.”
“Trump-backed state Senator Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) is claiming victory on Wednesday over challenger Darren Vogt in the Indiana Senate District 15 GOP race,” 21 Alive News reported on Wednesday.
Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, in a 2019 file photo.
Photo by Erica Irish, TheStatehouseFile.com.
Vogt: “After a 9 month campaign and 2 days of counting votes, the unofficial count is effectively tied. Out of respect for the voters and the process, we are exploring all of our options to ensure every legal vote is counted and every voice is heard.”
On Tuesday, George Hornedo lost his bid to be the Democratic candidate for Indiana’s 7th Congressional District.
From a press release: “The 2026 Democratic primary in Indiana’s 7th Congressional District produced the largest contested primary turnout in the district’s recent history, the result of fourteen months of sustained grassroots organizing that began long before any other campaign in this race was active.
George Hornedo, as pictured in a promotional photo from his campaign website.
Photo provided: https://www.georgehornedo.com/meetgeorge
“Not yet counting provisional and military ballots and with 100% of precincts reporting, 71,628 Democratic ballots were cast for Tuesday’s primary which is more than double the 33,891 cast in 2024 and nearly double any recent midterm primary cycle. …
“Taken together, the three challengers received approximately 38 percent of the Democratic primary vote against an 18-year incumbent with every institutional advantage. In a head-to-head race, that is a fundamentally different result. The combined anti-incumbent signal from Tuesday’s primary is the clearest indication in two decades that this district is ready for something different.
“Rep. André Carson won Tuesday’s primary with approximately 62 percent of the vote, 29-point and 31 point drops, respectively from his 2024 and 2022 primaries where he faced nominal opposition.
“Marion County early in-person voting reached 19,857 ballots before Election Day which is nearly equal to the combined early vote totals of 2022 and 2024. Approximately 90 percent were on the Democratic side.
“The congressional race drew more Democratic votes than any other race on the Marion County ballot, including the countywide Clerk and Sheriff races, which cover the full county rather than just the nine townships within Indiana’s 7th District. Those countywide races were announced months before Election Day. The Hornedo campaign had been organizing for fourteen months.”
Hornedo: “When you knock 40,000 doors and have 16,000 real conversations, you don’t just ask people to vote for you. You remind them that their voice matters. Some of those people voted for me. More of them voted for someone else. But nearly 72,000 people showed up to a Democratic primary in a district that has been told for years that showing up doesn’t matter. That’s what this campaign was always about. We built something real. I’m not going anywhere. We’re not done.”
Rep. Stephen Bartels, R-Eckerty, was recently selected by Gov. Mike Braun to serve as chair of the Indiana Defense Task Force. Bartels was appointment to the task force by House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers.
Rep. Steve Bartels, R-Eckerty
Photo provided: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/legislators/legislator_stephen_bartels_1
From a press release: “Established through a 2019 law passed by the General Assembly, the Indiana Defense Task Force supports and promotes Indiana’s defense ecosystem and streamlines processes related to the retention of military installations and the continued development of installation communities. …
“Bartels authored legislation this year that strengthens Indiana’s defense sector by ensuring tax dollars in fiscal years 2025-2027 appropriated for defense are coordinated and aligned with the Indiana Defense Task Force’s priorities. The bill also adds the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard or their designee as a nonvoting member of the task force.”
Bartels: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to further advance Indiana’s defense ecosystem. In Southern Indiana and across the state, our defense industry is growing. By strengthening our military installations and supporting local defense businesses, we are providing economic opportunities for our communities. This means creating high-wage careers and ensuring Indiana remains a leader in national security and innovation.”
This week, U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, introduced the Campus Lifeline Act of 2026 alongside Reps. Lori Trahan, D-Massachusetts, David Valadao, R-California, and Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin.
Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana.
Photo provided.
From a press release: This bipartisan legislation aims to expand awareness and access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for students and young adults.
“The Campus Lifeline Act clarifies that the 988 Lifeline can be printed on driver’s licenses and student identification cards, helping ensure young people have immediate access to critical resources. The bill also strengthens campus mental health efforts by allowing Garrett Lee Smith grants to support student-led early intervention and outreach.
“In 2023, 40 percent of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly one in ten attempted suicide, yet awareness of the 988 Lifeline remains low among young adults. Indiana has led on this issue by requiring 988 on student IDs, and the Campus Lifeline Act builds on those efforts by expanding access nationwide.”
Houchin: “We have a responsibility to make sure young people know where to turn in a moment of crisis. During Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, I’m proud to introduce the Campus Lifeline Act to expand access to the 988 Lifeline and strengthen support on campuses. This bill promotes early intervention, student engagement, and life-saving mental health resources. It’s our goal to make sure every young person knows help is available.”
On Monday, the Indianapolis City-County Council passed Proposal No. 99, establishing temporary adjustments to the City’s youth curfew hours for a 120-day period as Indianapolis prepares for the summer months.
From a press release: “With youth violence on the rise in communities across the country, Councilors emphasized that this measure is one step in a broader, coordinated effort to keep young people safe while connecting them and their families with resources and support. The proposal is sponsored by City-County Councilors Leroy Robinson and Dan Boots.”
City-County Councilor Leroy Robinson, Chair of Public Safety and Criminal Justice: “Public safety is a shared responsibility. This curfew adjustment, along with the work of the Connection Center and our community partners, ensures that when young people are out late, we’re not just responding, we’re intervening in a way that supports them and their families.”
Chief Tanya Terry, IMPD: “Our goal is always prevention first, not punishment. While a curfew is not a cure-all, it is just one tool used to keep our kids out of unsafe situations late at night. We encourage parents and guardians to stay involved by knowing where their children are, who they are with, and when they are coming home. We will continue working with our partners to address the underlying reason for all of this, protecting our children and keeping them safe.”