Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show focuses heavily on Indiana Republican politics and growing concern among party delegates over Secretary of State Diego Morales potentially becoming the nominee again. Kendall argues many party insiders already know Morales’ controversies and scandals could become a major liability in the general election, especially if Democrats heavily fund attacks against him. He also discusses the possibility of former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard entering the race through a new “Lincoln Party,” which Kendall says could dramatically reshape Indiana politics if it gains ballot access.

A major part of the show centers on how Indiana Republicans continue prioritizing internal political fights and party control over issues affecting everyday Hoosiers. Kendall criticizes lawmakers for focusing on things like closing primary elections while problems like gas taxes, utility costs, and corruption at the IEDC continue unresolved. He argues modern politics has become more about optics, social media, and loyalty than producing actual results that improve people’s lives.

The conversation also revisits the razor-thin Senate primary race between incumbent Spencer Deery and challenger Paula Copenhaver. Kendall explains how provisional ballots work and walks listeners through the remaining vote-counting process as Deery holds a two-vote lead. He uses the race as an example of how every vote truly matters, while also arguing the contest reflected broader political grudges tied to figures like Mitch Daniels, Rod Bray, and Todd Young rather than simply policy disagreements.

Another segment examines growing distrust in government following polling showing a surprisingly high percentage of Americans believe the assassination attempts against Donald Trump may have been staged. Kendall argues the numbers reflect years of dishonesty and manipulation from political leaders and institutions, which has left many people skeptical of almost everything they hear from government or the media. While acknowledging widespread distrust is understandable, he also says some conspiracy theories surrounding the attacks go far beyond reasonable skepticism.

The show closes with a broader discussion about money and revenge politics inside the Republican Party, highlighted by massive spending against Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky. Kendall argues Republicans increasingly punish lawmakers who consistently stick to conservative principles on spending and government size, while rewarding loyalty and political obedience instead. He frames the situation as another example of how both parties are drifting further away from policy-focused governance and deeper into personality-driven politics fueled by money and outside influence.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show opens with Kendall revisiting the redistricting battle in Virginia after that state’s Supreme Court struck down the proposed congressional maps. He argues the ruling confirms what he had been saying for months: that Virginia Democrats ignored clear constitutional requirements in an attempt to force through new districts. Kendall uses the case to make a broader point about how both political parties manipulate maps for power rather than focusing on fair representation and better governance.

He also pushes back against criticism he received during Indiana’s own redistricting debate, arguing many Republicans openly admitted they cared more about partisan advantage than drawing districts that actually reflected communities. Kendall says the Virginia case highlights a larger national problem where political parties increasingly prioritize maintaining power over representing voters fairly. He argues elections should be won through ideas and governance rather than engineered maps designed to protect incumbents or party control.

Another major segment focuses on money in politics and growing frustration over the influence of donors, PACs, and special interests. Kendall discusses new polling showing overwhelming bipartisan concern about the role money plays in elections and admits his own views on campaign finance have shifted over time. While he once strongly believed political donations were simply free speech, he now argues the current system overwhelmingly benefits wealthy interests while making it nearly impossible for ordinary people to compete for higher office.

The show also examines how special interests shape policy decisions in Indiana, particularly around utilities, data centers, and lobbying efforts at the Statehouse. Kendall argues many of the policies hurting taxpayers can be traced directly back to industries spending huge amounts of money on politicians and lobbying campaigns. He says the average voter increasingly understands that major donors and connected interests often have far more influence over government than everyday residents.

The episode wraps with a longer reflection on risk-taking, using the Indiana Pacers’ controversial trade for center Ivica Zubac as a jumping-off point. Kendall argues that while the trade could ultimately fail, successful organizations and individuals often have to take calculated risks rather than playing everything safe. He ties that idea back into his own career decisions and the move into independent media, emphasizing that even uncertain opportunities are worth pursuing if there’s a chance to build something bigger long term.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show continues the fallout from Indiana’s redistricting battles and the role national conservative groups played in the recent Senate primaries. Kendall argues the entire fight was never really about improving Indiana policy, but instead about helping national Republicans maintain political power. He points to issues like property taxes, utility bills, and corruption at the IEDC as the things actually affecting Hoosiers, while criticizing outside activists for focusing on national political fights that he says have little relevance to everyday life in Indiana.

A major part of the show centers on Trump endorsements during the primaries and Kendall’s belief that many voters treated them as unquestionable instructions rather than evaluating candidates individually. He argues several politicians who received Trump’s backing, including longtime lawmakers with records unpopular among conservatives, used the endorsements strategically despite not actually supporting the broader movement behind them. Kendall specifically points to comments from Senator Ron Alting after his reelection as proof that redistricting was more political theater than a genuine policy fight.

The conversation also shifts to former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s effort to create a new “Lincoln Party” in Indiana. Kendall explains how Ballard is attempting to collect enough signatures to secure ballot access for a third party and argues that more political competition would ultimately benefit voters. While stopping short of endorsing Ballard or the party itself, Kendall says giving Hoosiers additional choices outside the Republican and Democrat structures could help challenge the current system and open the door for more independent-minded candidates.

Another major topic involves Attorney General Todd Rokita and controversy surrounding an investigation into a Monroe County man who posted “86” on elected officials’ Facebook pages. Kendall criticizes the move by Rokita’s office to send an investigator to the man’s home and threaten possible charges, arguing it crosses the line into government intimidation over protected speech. At the same time, he also points out what he sees as hypocrisy from Rokita, comparing the aggressive response in this case to the attorney general’s refusal to investigate questions surrounding Secretary of State Diego Morales and his trip to India.

The episode closes with a broader reflection on political culture both in Indiana and nationally. Kendall argues both parties increasingly punish dissent and discourage independent thought, while political influencers and elected officials focus more on loyalty and attention than policy results. He emphasizes that his criticism comes from frustration with rising costs, government expansion, and a lack of accountability, insisting that voters should demand concrete solutions instead of simply rallying behind personalities or party factions.

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At least six of the eight incumbents sought out by Donald Trump after votes against redistricting suffered defeats. What role did redistricting actually play in the outcome?

What else went into a bad night for the establishment? What's next for the Indiana Senate? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt tackle these questions and more on Statehouse Happenings.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show opens with a major discussion about Indiana gas taxes after Governor Braun temporarily suspended both the state sales tax and excise tax on gasoline. Kendall argues the move is effectively an admission that the taxes were never truly necessary, revisiting his long-running criticism that Indiana’s gas taxes have functioned as a money grab for years. He points out that despite repeated increases and multiple auto-related taxes already in place, Hoosiers still aren’t seeing the kind of road quality or infrastructure return that would justify the cost.

Kendall also questions the timing and reasoning behind Braun’s decision, especially after earlier claims that suspending certain taxes supposedly wasn’t legally possible. He argues the issue isn’t simply high gas prices, but the fact that government leaders continue taking more money because they can. The broader frustration centers on what he sees as a lack of accountability in state government, with taxes and fees constantly increasing while everyday costs continue climbing for Indiana residents.

Another major segment reflects on the death of media mogul Ted Turner and the enormous impact he had on American television and pop culture. Kendall walks through Turner’s legacy building TBS, CNN, TNT, and World Championship Wrestling, while also sharing memories of growing up watching Cubs and Braves games during the height of cable television. He frames Turner as one of the most influential and fascinating media figures of the last century, someone whose reach extended across sports, entertainment, news, and broadcasting.

The show then returns to the fallout from Indiana’s Senate primaries and the criticism Kendall received over his election coverage. He reiterates that he never supported the incumbents who lost, but argues many challengers also failed to offer specific policy ideas or real solutions for issues like property taxes, utility bills, or government corruption. Kendall pushes back on attacks from national conservative influencers and Turning Point USA figures, saying too much of the political movement is driven by loyalty to personalities rather than concrete plans to improve life for Hoosiers.

The episode closes with a broader reflection on the current state of Republican politics both nationally and in Indiana. Kendall argues voters are being asked to choose between establishment politicians and social media-driven political movements, while many of the core problems affecting taxpayers remain unresolved. He emphasizes that his focus remains on government accountability and policy outcomes rather than party loyalty, insisting that simply changing personalities in office means very little without meaningful reform behind it.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show reacts to the fallout from Indiana’s Senate primary races, with Kendall arguing that while several incumbents lost, the overall problems with state government remain unchanged. He pushes back on the idea that these results were some major victory for reform, saying many of the same policies and people responsible for rising taxes, utility costs, and government expansion are still firmly in place. Kendall also takes aim at Governor Mike Braun, arguing that despite the celebration from supporters, the promises made on issues like property taxes and affordability still haven’t been delivered.

A major theme throughout the show is the role redistricting played in the primaries and how much influence President Trump and outside political groups had on the races. Kendall argues the push to remove Senate leader Rod Bray was driven more by loyalty to Trump than by any genuine effort to improve governance in Indiana. While he remains highly critical of Bray and longtime establishment Republicans, he also questions whether replacing them with candidates tied to Turning Point USA or Trump-backed movements will actually produce better results for taxpayers.

The show also breaks down several of the biggest Senate race results, including the defeats of longtime lawmakers Travis Holdman, Jim Buck, and Greg Walker. Kendall argues those incumbents lost largely because of voter frustration over property taxes, utility costs, and years in office rather than because of redistricting itself. At the same time, he questions whether many of the challengers offer any meaningful policy changes, pointing out that several are already part of the same political system they campaigned against.

Another major topic is Secretary of State Diego Morales losing his delegate race ahead of the Republican convention. Kendall describes the result as a sign of how unpopular Morales has become outside of party leadership circles and revisits several controversies surrounding him, including questions about ethics, spending, and political favoritism. He argues Morales continues to survive politically because of connections and money within the party structure, despite widespread frustration from Republican voters.

The episode closes with a broader critique of both Indiana and national Republican leadership, focusing on inflation, gas prices, property taxes, and government spending. Kendall questions what voters have actually gained despite Republicans controlling major offices, arguing that many of the issues people care most about have continued to worsen. The overall message is that political victories and campaign theater mean very little unless they result in real policy changes that improve daily life for taxpayers.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show opens with a continued focus on property taxes, but this time zeroing in on the role of county assessors and the system itself. Kendall argues that property taxes function as a “forever lien” on your home, forcing people to pay every year on something they already own, regardless of whether they’ve made any money on it. He contrasts that with other assets like stocks, where you’re only taxed when you realize gains, and questions why homeowners are instead taxed based on what others sell their homes for.

He traces his long-standing frustration with the system back to the 2007 property tax protests and says little has changed since then. Kendall points out that assessments continue to rise even when homeowners have no intention of selling, meaning they’re effectively penalized for staying in their homes. He also calls out the lack of organized pushback from assessors themselves, arguing that while many will privately admit the system is flawed, there has been no unified effort to challenge it publicly or demand reform.

The discussion then shifts to public education spending, where Kendall examines new data comparing how much states spend per student versus actual outcomes. He breaks down Indiana’s funding levels, noting that when combining state, local, and federal dollars, the total reaches tens of billions annually. Despite that, he argues there’s no clear correlation between higher spending and better performance, pointing to states that spend far more but don’t rank highly in reading or math scores.

Kendall challenges the common argument that schools simply need more money, asking what the actual target number would be and suggesting there isn’t one. He frames it as a system where funding is always deemed insufficient regardless of results, while data shows outcomes don’t consistently improve with increased spending. The broader takeaway is that how money is used matters more than how much is allocated, a point he says often gets overlooked in policy debates.

The show wraps with a look at new polling on President Donald Trump and the economy, highlighting declining approval ratings and growing concerns over inflation and the cost of living. Kendall walks through the numbers, noting that a majority of Americans disapprove of how economic issues are being handled, and argues that affordability remains the central issue for voters. He also discusses how policies like tariffs and ongoing conflicts are contributing to rising costs, reinforcing the idea that immediate economic pressures are shaping public opinion.

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Today’s episode of The Rob Kendall Show focuses heavily on property tax assessments, as Kendall reacts to what he and many listeners are seeing across central Indiana. He explains how his own assessment increased and points out that others are dealing with far larger jumps, urging people to call their local assessor and demand a full explanation rather than simply accepting the numbers. He walks through how the system works, including the appeal process, and stresses that these rising assessments are the real driver behind higher tax bills, not the temporary deductions many people were promised.

He then revisits Senate Bill 1 and argues that what was sold as relief ultimately failed to address the core issue. Kendall breaks down how the math plays out, showing how even small increases in assessed value can quickly erase any short-term savings. He ties those outcomes directly to decisions made by lawmakers, saying the structure of the law ensures taxes will continue to rise. The discussion builds into a broader criticism of state leadership and questions about why more wasn’t done to prevent what he says was an obvious outcome.

The conversation expands to what’s coming next, including the likelihood of more school referendums and additional tax pressure in the near future. Kendall argues that many homeowners will see any remaining savings disappear entirely, leaving them paying more than they were just a few years ago. He also raises concerns about how assessments are determined and the limited accountability around them, describing a system where taxpayers have little control once values are set.

Another major segment looks at Indiana’s marijuana laws, using new reporting on the size of the cannabis market tied to Hoosiers. Kendall argues that prohibition isn’t stopping usage, with many residents already accessing it either out of state or informally, while the state misses out on significant tax revenue. He frames the issue as both a financial and policy question, especially as surrounding states continue to allow legal access.

The show also touches on a potential change from the IHSAA regarding whether high school athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness. Kendall lays out both sides, noting the traditional concerns while also pointing to court decisions that suggest some form of NIL is likely inevitable. He explains the proposed restrictions and questions how much impact the change would realistically have for most athletes, framing it as an attempt to manage something that’s already reshaping amateur sports.

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Today’s show opens with a breakdown of why gas prices are spiking so sharply, both nationally and here in Indiana. Prices have jumped more than 40% since late February, and the discussion focuses on the two main drivers: escalating tensions involving Iran and a refinery outage in northwest Indiana that’s hitting the Great Lakes region especially hard. The segment walks through how those factors are impacting everyday costs and why the increases feel so sudden and severe for drivers.

The conversation also digs into the lack of clear messaging around what Americans are getting in return for those higher costs. With oil prices climbing and uncertainty continuing, the focus turns to how expectations were set versus what people are experiencing now, and why frustration is building as costs continue to rise without a clear explanation of long-term benefits.

From there, the show shifts to Indianapolis politics, focusing on Joe Hogsett and the possibility of a fourth term as mayor. After years of signaling he might step away, new comments suggest he could stay in the race, and the segment looks at how his tenure is being viewed, particularly around major events like the 2020 riots and ongoing concerns about crime, development, and population shifts in the city.

The discussion expands into the broader political landscape in Marion County, including the lack of competition in many local races and what that means for voters. It also touches on how political parties are functioning at the local level and how that impacts who runs, who wins, and what choices voters actually have when they go to the ballot box.

The final segment moves to the national level with a major Supreme Court decision on redistricting and the Voting Rights Act. The ruling centers on how claims of discrimination must now be proven, narrowing the standards for legal challenges and changing how states approach drawing congressional maps. The discussion looks at what the decision means going forward and how it could reshape election law and representation across the country.

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