The Rob Kendall Show Podcast

Statehouse Happenings co-host Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is scheduled to head to court. It involves the bizarre saga of Congressional Candidate Gabriel Whitley, a story which becomes stranger by the day. According to Shabazz, Whitley has asked for a protective order against him, and Abdul hopes to find out why at a hearing next week. Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt join Abdul to discuss why "Honest" Gabe mig...

Indiana Capital Chronicle broke an incredible story this week involving 7th District Congressional Candidate Gabriel Whitley. In the piece, they cited complaints against Whitley to the Indiana Election Division and Federal Election Commission, which allege multiple violations, including excessive campaign contributions and fraudulent finance reporting. From donors that cannot be located, to a poli...

Results from Senate Republican Citizen Surveys are out, and overwhelmingly Hoosiers are demanding legislators do something about skyrocketing property taxes. But lawmakers appear hesitant to act, for fear of angering local government officials. The people vs. the government. Who is likely to win the battle at the Statehouse in 2025? Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the Ind...

Victoria Spartz has changed her mind. After spending close to a year announcing she would not seek re-election, Spartz announced last week she will indeed run for a third term. The decision has alienated former allies who have already endorsed other candidates seeking her seat. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss Spartz's decision and wha...

State Representative Jim Lucas has once again found himself at the center of controversy. The embattled lawmaker, who recently pled guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident, set off a firestorm at the Statehouse on Wednesday, when he flashed a weapon at a group of school children. Lucas has attempted to downplay the incident. On this week's Statehouse Ha...

Jamey Noel appears to be in hot water. The former Clark County Sheriff and current County GOP Chairman is facing numerous criminal charges involving both his time as sheriff and overseeing a non-profit. According to IndyPolitics.org the charges include corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct, theft and tax evasion. Based on recent court documents, it appears Noel's wife c...

Campaign finance reports are out for the six candidates running for governor in Indiana. Collectively, they brought in more than $18 million. The massive fundraising haul was led by Brad Chambers who gave himself $5 million. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look at the fundraising reports, and what it might tell us about the upcoming pr...

Indiana Congressmen Larry Bucshon and Greg Pence unexpectedly announced their retirements at the end of 2024. The decisions set off a flood of rumors and quick actions, as potential replacements are rushing to get their campaigns in place. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss the potential fallout from their surprise retirements.   See omn...

Between the legislative session and contested primaries galore, it is shaping up to be an exciting next several months in Indiana politics and government. One of the unknowns is how an increase in new media operations plan to use their resources to cover it all. From independent journalists to start-up non-profits, a bevy of eyes and ears now exist to monitor the Statehouse and elected officials t...

John Rust's big win that could dramatically change ballot access laws in Indiana, Todd Rokita's run-ins with the Disciplinary Commission, and a massive blunder on Medicaid are the top stories for Statehouse Happenings in 2023. On this week's program, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz take a look back at an exciting year that was in Indiana politics and government and preview a pote...

It turns out the State of Indiana was way off on their calculations when it comes to funding Medicaid in 2024. Now there's an estimated $1 billion shortfall. This has left lawmakers upset and scrambling for answers and solutions. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz examine what went wrong, why, and what the long-term impact might be to Indiana ta...

U.S. Senate Candidate John Rust scored a major victory last week as a judge threw out an Indiana election law recently put into place by Republicans that would have barred him from running in the Republican Primary. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss the landmark ruling and how it could change Indiana's political landscape going forward. ...

Former Attorney General Curtis Hill is running in the Republican Primary for Governor. Recently, he sat down with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz of IndyPolitics.org for a wide-ranging interview. In the conversation, he wasn't shy about offering his thoughts on current Governor Eric Holcomb and Attorney General Todd Rokita. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall is joined by Shabazz and Jim Merritt...

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is again facing potential action from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. Once again, it is his words that have may get him in trouble. Shortly after signing an affidavit accepting responsibility for inappropriate comments made about an abortion doctor on Fox News in exchange for a reprimand from the Supreme Court, Rokita appeared to deny he had...

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita got his likely Democrat competition in 2024. On Monday, Destiny Wells, who lost badly to Diego Morales for Secretary of State in 2022, announced she is running for Attorney General. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Well's entry into the race, and if she has a shot to defeat Rokita next November.  Se...

Governor Eric Holcomb and the IEDC have big plans for their LEAP District in Boone County, which they claim will garner billions in economic development. The only problem is, they lack sufficient water resources. Their plan? Get it from water-rich Tippecanoe County. But residents in Tippecanoe County aren't excited about sharing. The plan to syphon off a hundred million gallons of water a day has...

As many expected, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett easily secured a third term over Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve. The big win came despite Shreve spending millions of his own personal fortune. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss another terrible performance from the Marion County GOP, and what has to be done to start making Indian...

John Rust wants to be a Republican Candidate for US Senate. The Indiana Republican Party appears to be doing everything possible to stop him. On Wednesday, Rust had his day in court, to try to secure the ability to appear on the primary ballot next May. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss a wild day that saw some incredible arguments from...

On Monday, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and his Republican challenger Jefferson Shreve debated on WISH TV. During the debate, Hogsett was asked his still unknown whereabouts during the first night of downtown riots in 2020. In his answer, he cited a report commissioned by the city on the riots that told where he was and what he was doing. However, in a leaked email, former US Attorney Deborah Da...

US Representative Victoria Spartz is angering constituents and colleagues alike with her statements and votes on the Speaker of the House. Her unpredictable approach has left many guessing what's next and resulted in a large amount of feedback from voters. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss Spartz's antics and how it's playing...

The Indiana Republican Party is doing everything in their power to prevent egg farmer John Rust from challenging Jim Banks in the US Senate Primary. Including spending a whole bunch of taxpayer money. Attorney General Todd Rokita has hired super lawyer Jim Bopp to fight Rust's lawsuit to get on the ballot. And he isn't coming cheap. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Sh...

Former State Senator Luke Kenley threw his weight behind fixing the property tax system in Indiana. Kenley, who was Appropriations Chairman for eight years, told lawmakers fixing the broken property tax system would have a much bigger impact than eliminating the income tax. Will Kenley's support be the voice taxpayers need to get meaningful relief? On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall...

In an article appearing in the Indiana Business Journal, Governor Eric Holcomb said he has no regrets over his executive orders during COVID shutdowns. The governor's lack of remorse or empathy, which included costing many people their jobs and businesses, have left conservatives very upset. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, along with Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss H...

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is facing charges from the Disciplinary Commission over comments he made on Fox News about an abortion doctor. The hearing could result in anything from a reprimand to Rokita losing his law license. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall is joined by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt to discuss the latest drama, which seems to follow the Attorney G...

The race to be the next Governor of Indiana is heating up. Five of the six declared Republican candidates descended upon Hamilton County for the GOP Fall Dinner and gave speeches to more than 600 people in attendance. Did anyone move the needle or make a difference with a huge group of still undecided voters? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on this week's Statehouse Happe...