In a move to unite factions of the Indiana Republican Party, WIBC's Rob Kendall and Republican Candidate for Governor Mike Braun appeared together after Kendall's endorsement of Braun the day before. The pair agreed about the need to work together and support Braun to help him enter 2025 with a mandate to pass meaningful property tax reform. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt preview the 2024 Governor's race, and how a big Braun win might help shape property tax reform next year. 

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All three candidates for Lt. Governor met at the State Fair on Tuesday to debate. For close to an hour, they debated everything from property taxes to water rights. According to the Statehouse Happenings panel, a clear victor emerged at the end. And it might surprise many. On this week's program, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss who got the biggest bump from the spirited back and forth. 

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A new piece in Mirror Indy about longtime Joe Hogsett advisor Thomas Cook has rocked Indianapolis politics. In a follow-up to a piece in the Indianapolis Star, multiple women have come forward, and agreed to be named, alleging inappropriate behavior by Cook when he was Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis. The women also allege Mayor Joe Hogsett was aware of the allegations and did little to address them. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine the Mirror Indy claims and if they could be enough to sink Hogsett. 

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It was a good rollout for Mike Braun...until it wasn't. The Republican Candidate for Governor impressed many with his initial property tax overhaul plan, centered around resetting tax bills to 2021 levels. However, he was then met with outrage, after the campaign clarified it was tied to an enhanced Homestead deduction, and the specifics were revealed to leave many without any relief at all. Then Braun decided to allow taxpayers a choice: Enhanced Homestead credit OR 2021 bill. Whichever is lower. Confused? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt try to make sense of it all on Statehouse Happenings.

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The home where former Congressional Candidate Gabe Whitley lives was searched by the FBI last week. Reportedly, multiple devices were seized. While it is not known exactly what authorities were looking for, it could be related to allegations of campaign finance violations that plagued Whitley throughout the primary. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at the latest twist in the never-ending saga of "Honest" Gabe.

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It was a strange Indiana Democrat Convention to say the least. From a Republican Candidate for Congress campaigning for a Democrat Candidate for Lt. Governor, to the announcement of the failed attempt on former President Donald Trump's life, delegates were exposed to a different convention than in year's past. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz break down the day's events, and if the Democrat Nominees for Attorney General and Lt. Governor give them any better chance to win in November. 

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Indiana Democrats are set to host their state convention this Saturday. There are multiple contested offices delegates will have to make choices on. From an old guard vs new guard contest in the Attorney General's race, to activist outrage at the party's preferred Lt. Governor choice, passions are sure to be high. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt preview what could be a wild day.

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Libertarian Candidate for Governor Donald Rainwater surprised many by announcing he had raised over $100,000 in the quarter. The fundraising haul not only improves his chances of appearing in all televised debates, but also shows he has kept much of the support he had during an impressive 2020 run. With much of Rainwater's 2020 support coming from upset Republicans, there's a real chance he could harm Mike Braun's chances if they don't return to voting for the GOP candidate. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss Rainwater's ability to disrupt the 2024 election. 

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For a brief period, Indiana Republicans were seen as being in chaos over the selection of Micah Beckwith to be their Lt. Governor nominee. But that spotlight didn't last long. Now it is the Democrats who are reeling, as Jennifer McCormick has picked former State Representative Terry Goodin to be her preferred running mate. Goodin's pro-life and anti-gay equality votes have sparked outrage from Democrats across the state, with some vowing to stop him at convention. Will they succeed? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt explore on this week's Statehouse Happenings! 

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In what came as a shock to many, Micah Beckwith was victorious over Julie McGuire in the race for Lt. Governor at the Indiana Republican Party State Convention. Beckwith proved victorious, despite McGuire having the endorsement of Governor Nominee Mike Braun, most Statehouse officials, and even former President Donald Trump. So why did Beckwith beat them all? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt explore his underdog win on this week's Statehouse Happenings. 

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