Indiana’s House Democrats have had their sights set on breaking the Republican supermajority for several cycles now. In this year’s election, though, the national party is stepping in with resources.
Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced it’s targeting 11 races in the Hoosier state, including five in central Indiana.
The announcement provides a clue into which races could be the most competitive this cycle, even if Democrats aren’t successful in breaking the supermajority. Two of the races are in Hamilton County — which in recent years has been targeted by Democrats hoping to capitalize on the suburb growing more purple — while others touch the northernmost and southernmost parts of the state.
Democrats believe they are in “striking distance” of flipping the four seats necessary to release Republicans’ supermajority hold, which would mean that Democrats could, among other things, deny them quorum to hear controversial bills. Not only is a midterm year generally unfavorable to the party in charge to begin with, but Democrats have had a record year for engagement in Indiana, both in terms of voter turnout and the number of candidates running for office.
The last election, in 2024, Democrats merely defended the 30 seats they have. They’ve been in the superminority in the House since 2013.
“The DLCC has identified a historic opportunity to build Democratic power in the Indiana House this year, and we are proud to support these strong candidates who have already hit the ground running to reach voters in their communities,” committee president Heather Williams said. “The DLCC is strategizing to make meaningful inroads in Indiana and in red states across the country, and we’re only just getting started.”
Identifying “target races” means supporting these candidates with data, research, polling, direct voter contact, and generally raising their profile, potentially attracting attention from a more nationalized donor pool.
In some cases, the Democrats are playing defense. State Rep. Randy Novak’s Michigan City seat was only 2 percentage points away from a loss to Republicans last election. Down in southern Indiana, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser only defended the seat for Democrats by 3 percentage points.
But a number of seats that were extremely close last cycle are back on the map. There’s a repeat matchup between Republican state Rep. Becky Cash and Democrat Tiffany Stoner, who were separated last time by just over 60 votes. Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman, barely defended his seat in 2024.
These are the 11 target races.
House District 4
Where it is: A portion of Porter County in northwest Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Ryan Kominakis will challenge state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso.
What happened in 2024: Soliday defended his seat by 15 percentage points.
House District 9
Where it is: Portions of LaPorte and Porter counties in northern Indiana.
Who’s running: State Rep. Randy Novak, D-Michigan City, will defend against Republican Chris Cleveland.
What happened in 2024: Former state Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City, who retired in 2025, defended her seat by 2 percentage points.
House District 10
Where it is: Portions of Porter County in northwest Indiana.
Who’s running: State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, will defend against Republican Ted Uzelac.
What happened in 2024: Moseley defended his seat by 4 percentage points.
House District 24
Where it is: Portions of Boone and Hamilton counties in central Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Racheal Bleicher will challenge state Rep. Hunter Smith, R-Zionsville.
What happened in 2024: Smith won what was then an open seat by 12 percentage points.
House District 25
Where it is: Portions of Boone and Hendricks counties in central Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Tiffany Stoner will challenge state Rep. Becky Cash, R-Zionsville.
What happened in 2024: Cash beat Stoner by just over 60 votes, less than a percentage point.
House District 34
Where it is: Portions of Delaware County in central Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Sara Gullion will face Republican Rich Ivy in this open seat.
What happened in 2024: State Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, defended her seat by 10 percentage points.
House District 36
Where it is: Portions of Madison County in central Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Kim Townsend will challenge state Rep. Kyle Pierce, R-Anderson.
What happened in 2024: Pierce defended his seat by 18 percentage points.
House District 39
Where it is: A portion of Hamilton County in central Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Lindsay Gramlich will challenge state Rep. Danny Lopez, R-Carmel.
What happened in 2024: Lopez won what was then an open seat by 7 percentage points.
House District 43
Where it is: Portions of Vigo County in western Indiana.
Who’s running: State Rep. Tonya Pfaff, D-Terre Haute, will defend against Republican Amy Lore.
What happened in 2024: Pfaff ran unopposed.
House District 62
Where it is: Brown County and portions of Monroe and Jackson counties in southern Indiana.
Who’s running: Democrat Amy Huffman Oliver will challenge state Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman.
What happened in 2024: Hall defended his seat by 2 percentage points.
House District 71
Where it is: Portions of Clark and Floyd counties in southern Indiana.
Who’s running: State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser, D-Jeffersonville, will defend against Republican James McClure, Jr.
What happened in 2024: Dant Chesser won by 3 percentage points.
Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: These are the elections to watch in central Indiana as national Democrats pitch in support
Reporting by Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
