Democratic wave hits Indiana
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Beau Bauh celebrating his Secretary of State victory. Photo: Arika Herron/Axios
The blue wave didn't just lap Indiana's shores — it crashed across the state, giving Democrats their first statewide win in more than a decade. It also broke the GOP supermajority in the Statehouse and ousted the state House speaker.
Why it matters: It's the party's best election night in at least 15 years, breathing life back into a party that's had its hopes dashed on election nights past.
Driving the news: Democrats flipped the 5th Congressional District, won the Secretary of State race, and picked up enough seats in the Indiana House to break the supermajority for the first time since 2012.
What they're saying: Axios asked state Democratic Party chair Karen Tallian when was the last time her party had such a good night.
- "I don't remember," Tallian said. "I am nearly speechless."
State of play: Democrat Beau Bayh won an unpredictable and closely contested race to be Indiana's next Secretary of State and claim the first statewide win for his party since 2012.
- Bayh beat Republican Max Engling, Lincoln Party candidate and former Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard and Libertarian Lauri Shillings.
- "For too long the people of our state have been taken for granted," Bayh said in his victory speech in front of supporters at a downtown Indianapolis hotel. "Too many decisions have been made behind closed doors by insiders. Too many families have played by the rules, while the people in the halls of power have played by a different set."
Bayh said his first order of business will be opening an independent audit into the office under Republican Diego Morales, the embattled current officeholder.
- "We're going to conduct this audit into the office, see what's gone wrong, make those results available to the public and hold people accountable should the need arise," Bayh told reporters Tuesday night.
In the statehouse, Democrats picked up GOP-held seats across the state, according to unofficial election results, including several in the Indianapolis suburbs.
- One of the night's biggest shocks was House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) being upset by Democrat Lauren Cole.
- Majority caucus chair Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) lost to Democrat William Colteryahn.
- Democrats Racheal Bleicher and Tiffany Stoner upset Zionsville Republicans and incumbent Reps. Hunter Smith and Becky Cash.
- Rep. Dave Hall (R-Norman) lost his reelection bid to Democrat Amy Huffman Oliver.
- Multiple other Republicans looked poised to lose their seats late Tuesday night.
The other side: Democrats picked up several seats in the state Senate, but not enough to break the GOP supermajority in that chamber.
What's next: Statehouse caucuses are expected to meet Wednesday at the Statehouse to organize themselves for the upcoming session.