Pro-Small Business Candidates Won Big in Indiana

Indiana small businesses had a lot at stake this election: a gubernatorial race, a U.S. Senate race, and various seats in the U.S. Congress and Indiana General Assembly. Many pro-small business candidates came out as winners.

“We are thrilled that so many pro-small business candidates won their election and will be representing Indiana’s Main Street in Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis,” said NFIB Indiana State Director Natalie Robinson. “Small business owners have reported historic low optimism and high uncertainty going into the election, so we hope that these candidates will prioritize small businesses and ease some of the inflationary and regulatory pressures on their businesses. We also look forward to working with Governor-elect Braun in his new role.”

Indiana Governor Race
U.S. Senator and NFIB member Mike Braun won his election against Jennifer McCormick for Indiana Governor. Governor-elect Braun is a small business owner and longtime friend and member of NFIB and Indiana’s small business community.

Federal Races
Republicans will hold onto three U.S. House seats in Indiana that were left open by incumbents who didn’t run for re-election, all of which were endorsed by NFIB’s Indiana PAC.

Rep. Jim Banks won his election to the U.S. Senate and will be Indiana’s newest senator, taking Senator Mike Braun’s seat.

NFIB Indiana PAC-endorsed Reps. Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Jim Baird (IN-04), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), and Erin Houchin (IN-09) all won re-election for their U.S. House seats. NFIB member Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) won Banks’ former seat and rejoins Indiana’s delegation in Washington, D.C.

Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) and NFIB member Mark Messmer (IN-08) won elections in their respective open seat Congressional Districts.

State Senate & House of Representatives
The Indiana General Assembly maintains a Republican supermajority in the House as they won at least 67 seats, despite several races with razor-thin margins. Some notable NFIB Indiana PAC-endorsed victors that were close calls include incumbent Dave Hall, a Republican in Monroe County narrowly beating Democrat Thomas Horrocks and Republican Hunter Smith — a former Colts player — that was declared the winner in the Central Indiana open seat over Democrat Josh Lowry. Another close open seat race in Hamilton County showed Republican Daniel Lopez pulling out the win over Democrat Matt McNally. Also in central Indiana, incumbent Rep. Becky Cash, a Republican, led by just over 300 votes over Democrat challenger Tiffany Stoner.

No state Senate seats changed in this election, leaving Republicans with their 40-10 majority in the Chamber.