WARSAW — Two area lawmakers are developing a plan for US 30 that would address the Parker Street intersection — widely viewed as the most dangerous intersection along US 30 across all of Indiana.

State Senator Ryan Mishler and State Representative Craig Snow said they met with officials from the Indiana Department of Transportation earlier this month, which included a discussion of US 30 and specifically the proposed construction of an overpass over Parker Street and an interchange constructed further to the west at Springhill Road. 

Mishler talked about the issue Saturday while in Warsaw and said something "needs to be done."

In their meeting, Mishler said they put forth some proposals.

He said he plans to track how that progresses and how INDOT is budgeting projects.

He credited Snow for taking the lead on the issue by developing maps and even talking to stakeholders. 

“I think what we're working on together would be a really good plan moving forward for this area,” Mishler said. 

An interchange at Springhill Road would serve as a new connection to US 30 and is a short distance from both Parkview Kosciusko Hospital and Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital.

Aside from traffic safety concerns, Mishler said the projects would be a big boost for economic development.

He also said the proposals also reflect Slate Auto's plans to  bring nearly 2,000 workers to its future factory on Old Road 30 later this year.

“If they want to develop that corridor going to Slate, you've got to have something on 30. Once you put something on 30, I think you will see huge development coming around that area,” he said.

Snow said their proposal is similar to one in Whitley County, where Steel Dynamics Inc. worked with county officials and other industry to jump-start plans for the construction of at least two major intersections along US 30.

INDOT has previously endorsed the long-term plan of reconstructing the highway from Ohio to northwest Indiana, but aside from the initial progress in Whitley County, no money has been formally approved for initial steps toward specific construction segments.

Snow cautions that talks are preliminary and that it would take many years for construction to begin, if it is eventually approved.

Preliminary steps by consultants working with INDOT and the US 30 Coalition have progressed across the entire stretch of the highway over the past decade, but few developments have been made in the past two years.

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WARSAW — State Sen. Ryan Mishler said he expects the Chicago Bears will likely decide on their future stadium in May or June, and continues to express confidence that they might choose Hammond. 

Illinois lawmakers are still in session and trying to develop a stadium plan outside of downtown Chicago, something they've been working on for three years.

At the same time, the Bears are considering a plan developed over three months by Indiana lawmakers for a new stadium in Hammond.

Earlier this month, the state of Indiana announced a new arrangement with the owners of the Indiana Toll Road that will funnel $700 million to seven northern Indiana counties for infrastructure improvements.

Some of that could be used in Lake County for related infrastructure near the proposed stadium site. 

Mishler said the new agreement should not be viewed as another inducement.

“It does look like we did it for that, but I can tell you the administration, the previous administration, was coming to me about the toll road. So it was even before this administration started. So it's two separate things, but another option for us to use for something up there,” Mishler said.

He said the Bears would like to have a new stadium ready by 2030, so construction would have to begin soon.

Mishler, who represents parts of Kosciusko County, said he thinks they made a good impression with the Bears.

“I think they're very impressed with how we operate, how we work together, get things done, and they're not used to a government that operates that way," Mishler said.

"I think that is a great compliment," he said.

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WARSAW —

Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose is applauding recent efforts to enhance the downtown by Main Street Warsaw.

Already, initial plans to establish a festival street are underway, and last week, Kosciusko County offered its support to seek grant money that will look at First Christian Church, which needs significant repairs but is viewed by Main Street Warsaw as a possible multi-faceted art center.

Those two plans are part of a long-term effort to bring more art-related attractions and other amenities to the downtown.

While there is significant uncertainty about the future of the church building located across from the Kosciusko County Justice Building, Mayor Jeff Grose applauded the vision.

audio

Grose made the comments for a recording of In The Know, the public affairs show that airs this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations.

Grose talked about the upcoming Anchorage Road construction project, which begins March 16, and the new downtown parking police was expected to receive final approval on Friday by the board of works.

Also part of the show was an extended interview with State Sen. Ryan Mishler, who helped craft Indiana's plan to construct a stadium in Hammond for the Chicago Bears.

Illinois lawmakers are expected to soon make a counterproposal to keep the Bears in Chicago.

*  *  * 

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

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Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

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WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

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The post Radio show highlights: Grose talks downtown plans and Sen. Mishler details stadium efforts appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s offer to help build a multi-billion dollar stadium is officially on the table — now it is up to the Chicago Bears to decide whether they will cross the state line.

State senators voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve a plan to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority in Hammond and to allow increased county restaurant, hotel and admission taxes for the project.

Gov. Mike Braun signed the measure into law within about an hour of the vote, adding to the proposal's momentum.

[caption id="attachment_127591" align="alignright" width="157"] Ryan Mishler[/caption]

State Sen. Ryan Mishler, one of the architects of the proposal, spoke with News Now Warsaw shortly after the vote and expressed confidence that Bears officials are serious about the Hoosier plan.

Officials will now wait and see if Illinois lawmakers are able to develop a plan that would keep the NFL team in Chicago.

Illinois lawmakers were discussing their proposal as Indiana State Senators approved the Indiana plan by a vote of 45-4 on Thursday afternoon.

Mishler said he doesn't see it as a competition.

"We have what we have," Mishler said. "I know that any company that steps over into Indiana is gonna save a lot of money just in our tax structure alone."

Indiana's plan is based on a template used in similar stadium deals for Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

"I know they'll still talk to Illinois," he said. "I think we have a great chance because I know what we have to offer."

If the Hammond plan comes to fruition, the state would own the facility, while the Chicago Bears would lease and operate the stadium under a long-term agreement of at least 35 years.

The Indiana financing plan calls for capturing taxes from a new stadium development district, along with revenue from a 12% admissions tax on stadium events, a doubling of Lake County’s 5% hotel tax (where Hammond is located) and a 1% food-and-beverage tax in both Lake and Porter counties, according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Mishler said such a stadium plan would be "transformational" for The Region and benefit the state in several ways.

"You know, there are a few states that have two (NFL) football teams, but to have two NFL football teams in the state of Indiana would be huge," Mishler said.

Braun and Mishler both said the Bears will now be doing their "due diligence" with the Hammond property, and Braun predicted a deal could be signed in four to eight weeks.

The Bears' stadium, Soldier Field, is the oldest and smallest in terms of seating capacity in the NFL.

The Hammond site is about 12 miles from Soldier Field.

Mishler pointed out that the Bears' leadership sought out Indiana as it expanded its search for a new facility and that they have been great to work with.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle contributed to this story. You can read that full version here.

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WARSAW — A final vote on Indiana's efforts to lure the Chicago Bears to Indiana with a new stadium is set to happen Thursday in the State Senate.

The bill would create the framework to establish the Northwest Indiana stadium authority with the plan to construct a stadium for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears are reportedly offering $2 billion to support the endeavorr and several taxes in two counties are being discussed to support it.

The bill, authored by State Sen. Ryan Mishler, was approved on Tuesday by the House with widespread bipartisan support and will be up for a final vote Thursday afternoon.

At the same time, Lawmakers in Illinois are preparing a counterproposal that the Bears would then consider.

The Indiana Senate session can be livestreamed here when they begin work around 1:30 p.m.

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Indiana’s state budget surplus could grow to nearly $5 billion by the middle of 2027 under new and much rosier tax revenue projections.

An updated report presented Thursday to the State Budget Committee forecast tax collections growing by 4.2% this fiscal year and by 2.7% the following year.

That would give the state about $2.4 billion more than officials expected when the new state budget was finalized in April — and revenue growth was anticipated at 0.8% and 0.1% for the two years of the spending plan.

But Republican state fiscal leaders showed no signs of any spending boosts for the tight budget that took effect July 1.

“It was a positive forecast and it was good news for our state,” House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jeff Thompson said. “But remember, we’re less than 25% through this biennial budget, so there’s some uncertainty still.”

The revenue growth would push the state’s cash reserves from what had been an expected $2.7 billion in mid-2027 — about 12% of annual state spending — to $5 billion, or about 22% of state spending. That is well above the 10-15% level that leaders usually aim for.

Democrats said the unexpected revenue should allow the state to restore spending cuts made after the Legislature was “spooked” by the dismal April forecast.

Rep. Greg Porter, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, said the state needed to make better use of the available funds rather than more tax cuts.

“The people who really need it, the special needs individuals, our children, seniors, they’re going to be left out in the cold,” Porter said.

Gov. Mike Braun touted the revenue forecast as “evidence that our focus on jobs and wages to grow the economy is working.”

“We are boosting Hoosier wages and lowering taxes,” Braun said in a statement. “While many other states are struggling to gain momentum, Indiana is thriving and Hoosiers are keeping more money in their pockets.”

Medicaid costs growing slower

New projections also show Indiana’s Medicaid program costs will grow slower than expected as the number of people it covers has dropped about 15% in the first year of Braun’s administration.

Medicaid officials are also planning a 10% cut in the payment rate for an autism therapy program that has drawn particular concern for its fast-growing expenses.

The state’s rising Medicaid expenditures have been a major worry of state budget officials for the past several years — and a new forecast of those costs released Thursday indicated some relief.

The previous forecast released in April had Medicaid costs jumping by 9.5% during the current state fiscal year and 7.7% next fiscal year, for a total increase of $1.2 billion over those two years.

The new projections have those growth rates slowing to 3.2% and 6.4% per fiscal year, totaling about $465 million less in state spending for the two-year period.

That cost slowdown comes as Indiana’s enrollment in the low-income health care coverage has dropped from about 2 million people at the beginning of this year to 1.7 million in November — a removal of about one in every seven people who were enrolled.

Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Mitch Roob, who oversees the Medicaid program, attributed much of the enrollment drop to the income verification letters now sent every three months that started in April.

But the state’s Medicaid expenses haven’t dropped by a similar rate because those who’ve not maintained their enrollment are healthy and not often seeking health care, Roob said.

“You have fewer patients, but you’re covering the sicker patients,” Roob told the Indiana Capital Chronicle ahead of Thursday’s State Budget Committee presentation.

Roob said the state agency doesn’t know yet how frequently those dropped from the Medicaid rolls by not responding to the income-verification letters eventually are re-enrolled.

“You’d probably need at least 18 months worth of data to discern that,” Roob said. “I think that’s an important question and it’s worth knowing, but we don’t know it yet.”

Payment cuts for autism therapy

Medicaid officials presented their plan to reduce payments for applied behavior analysis, or ABA, therapy that is often used to improve communication and learning skills in children and young adults with autism or other developmental disorders.

The plan is to reduce the state’s current ABA therapy payment rate of about $68 an hour to near what Medicaid officials say is the national average of $61 an hour.

The payment cut is planned to take effect in April for a program that has seen its use surge in recent years. More than 8,000 Hoosiers rely on Medicaid to pay for ABA therapy, with most of them between three and eight years of age.

Roob said Braun had told him to get ABA therapy costs to a “reasonable” spot.

“We think smack dab in the middle is reasonable,” Roob said. “We value ABA therapy, right? But we can’t afford ABA therapy for all in perpetuity.”

Indiana’s Medicaid program began covering ABA services in 2016, spending about $21 million over the following year.

Expenditures peaked at $611 million in 2023, and dropped slightly to $445 million in 2024, after former Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration set lower reimbursement rates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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A congressional redistricting proposal that has split Indiana’s Senate Republicans advanced to its final stage Wednesday after lawmakers quickly dispatched three Democratic amendments and positioned the high-stakes bill for a decisive vote on Thursday.

But it remains unclear whether the Senate GOP caucus has enough support to pass the measure.

The chamber met for just 30 minutes with little of the marathon discussion that marked Monday’s six-hour committee hearing.

House Bill 1032 targets Indiana’s current two Democratic U.S. House members and is designed to create a 9-0 Republican map ahead of the 2026 midterm election — as demanded by President Donald Trump.

No Republican amendments were filed Wednesday, and all three Democratic proposals failed on voice votes.

The bill passed the Senate Elections Committee 6-3 earlier this week.

Sixteen GOP senators have publicly supported the bill; 14 have said they oppose it; and 10 — including several who supported advancing the bill out of committee — have not revealed how they plan to vote on the chamber floor.

Indiana’s Constitution requires a majority of the 50-member Senate to approve legislation, meaning the 40-seat Republican supermajority must muster at least 26 votes if all 10 Democrats vote no. GOP Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith can break a 25-25 tie if all members are present.

But not all senators have been at the Statehouse this week.

Several GOP senators were missing on Monday and Tuesday, and by Wednesday, Republican Sens. Jim Buck, Scott Alexander and Ryan Mishler remained absent.

Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger, noted in committee Wednesday morning that Alexander recently had open-heart surgery and said he was “doing really well,” but Senate Republican staff could not confirm who would or would not be present for Thursday’s vote.

Uncertainty surrounds Thursday vote

The bill’s advancement follows a Monday committee vote where two Democrats and one Republican opposed the measure — although several Republicans who voted to move it to the floor said they could still vote no on final passage.

That included Sens. Greg Goode, Stacey Donato and Rogers. The three are among the 10 GOP lawmakers who have not publicly committed to mid-cycle redistricting.

Goode, R-Terre Haute, said after Wednesday’s Senate session that he remained undecided ahead of Thursday’s expected vote.

“I’m going to give it one more night to sleep on it, and then I want to hear one more time among my colleagues the arguments for and against,” he told the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Goode said he has had two phone calls with Trump about redistricting, the most recent one on Monday and another call with White House officials Wednesday morning.

Goode described those calls as “very spirited advocacy,” but said he has “never felt threatened or pressured by the White House.”

At least a dozen legislators, many Senate Republicans — including Goode — have publicly disclosed being targeted in swatting attempts, bomb threats and more. The incidents have prompted an ongoing investigation now led by the Indiana State Police.

Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, said Wednesday he remained a firm opponent of the redistricting plan and that senators needed to resist such intimidation attempts.

“When you get kind of bullied and threatened, if that tactic works, then you can expect to deal with that for the rest of your political career,” Crider said after Wednesday’s Senate session. “This has been really kind of a discouraging thing that we’re experiencing this in Indiana. It’s not been our style in the past, and I’m hopeful that it’s not something we deal with in the future.”

Goode and Crider, who are both members of the budget-writing Senate Appropriations Committee, said they wouldn’t be swayed by arguments that the Trump administration could financially punish Indiana if the Senate doesn’t support the redrawn maps.

Goode said he believed the federal government would fulfill any obligations to the state.

“Now, can the administration potentially slow-walk something? Could a grant request or some type of line of funding take a little bit longer? Possibly,” Goode said. “But I have not, and I will not, make my final decision based on worrying of what could happen. That’s not the way, I think, we should govern.”

Crider said he expected Indiana’s congressional delegation to stand up to any financial threats.

“My opinion is that the spread on votes are so thin in Congress that if our federal delegation won’t stand together and say, ‘Leave Indiana alone,’ then they’re not doing their jobs,” Crider said. “I think that they have the ability to say, ‘If you’re going to hurt Indiana, then we’re not passing anything out of the House of Representatives until you stop that.’ That’s what I think should happen.”

Democrats keep amendments brief

The House approved the redistricting bill Friday, as expected, on a vote of 57-41. Twelve Republicans joined all Democrats present in opposition.

Gov. Mike Braun has stood by threats that he and Trump have made to support Republican primary challengers against senators who reject the new maps.

Wednesday’s floor debate in the Senate centered on three Democratic amendments, each defeated in a matter of minutes.

Outside the chamber, just a handful of protesters lingered in the hallway, and the usually crowded Senate balcony sat nearly empty — also a shift from the packed committee room on Monday.

An amendment offered by Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, would have deleted the bill entirely and replaced it with a prohibition on redrawing congressional districts except immediately after the decennial census.

Qaddoura has already filed similar substantive language for the 2026 session in Senate Bill 53.

“The amendment deletes the content of House Bill 1032 completely, A to Z, and it explicitly adds language to prohibit mid-cycle congressional redistricting, because that’s not what Hoosiers asked us to come and do during this session,” Qaddoura said. “Hoosiers did not send us here to do a mid-decade redistricting of congressional seats.”

Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, the bill’s sponsor, urged colleagues to oppose what he called a “strip-and-insert” amendment.

Another amendment from Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis, would have required counties to report costs related to implementing new maps and authorized the state comptroller to reimburse them.

Ford noted that clerks — particularly in Marion County — testified that implementing new congressional boundaries so close to the 2026 election cycle would require new materials, additional staff and overtime hours, and substantial public information efforts.

“These folks are likely to be saddled with extra costs … including updating ballots, hiring more temporary staff, moving the appropriate voters and conducting information campaigns,” Ford said. “At a time when Hoosier families are begging for relief … we should not be forcing local governments to spend scarce taxpayer dollars on political power grabs such as this.”

Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, offered a third amendment, which aimed to strike language that limits where and how lawsuits challenging the maps could be filed. The current draft of the bill would bar temporary restraining orders against the maps and route appeals directly to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Randolph called his proposal a “simple amendment,” arguing that trial courts should retain jurisdiction and that forcing precincts to straddle multiple congressional districts would create confusion for local precinct officials.

Gaskill urged the Senate to defeat that amendment, too. He defended the bill’s legal-challenge language as a way to avoid “chaos and confusion.”

“Often, throughout the country, chaos and confusion has been created with election-related lawsuits,” he said. “And this sets up a clear procedure … and gets them expeditiously to the Indiana Supreme Court. … I think that’s very important, regardless of which side of the redistricting issue you’re on.”

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

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Republicans on Indiana’s State Budget Committee rejected an effort to direct state surplus funding to low-income Hoosiers and food banks as federal SNAP benefits expire next month amid a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, urged Indiana leaders to step up, arguing that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers are at risk of losing the food aid they receive through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

More than 571,000 Hoosiers were receiving SNAP benefits in September, the latest data available, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic benefit card that is used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores. The benefit is 100% federally funded and administrative costs are split 50% with states — for now.

“We just have to have the will to do it,” Porter said during the committee’s regularly scheduled meeting. “We just (want to) take care of people that live next door to us and in our communities.”

Porter’s motion was symbolic in nature: calling on the governor and the State Board of Finance to take “concrete action” under their authority and provide funding to SNAP recipients and food banks.

Porter said state officials have moved money around for emergencies in the past. He noted the current state budget includes a $300 million contingency fund for three agencies, including the Family and Social Services Administration.

State Budget Director Chad Ranney said that money is for agencies that might have a shortfall in the budget’s second year because of state funding cuts.

Ranney said the Braun administration could take action on its own, without a statement from the State Budget Committee. But a transfer for SNAP would be complicated, he cautioned.

That’s because the money never flows to the state — instead going from the federal government to a third-party provider that loads it onto the EBT cards.

Indiana’s SNAP benefits cost about $112 million a month.

Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said it would be easier to send additional support to food banks, which will immediately face an increase in demand from hungry Hoosiers.

Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, observed that state coffers are running ahead of tax projections. First quarter results show an additional $270 million in revenue has flowed to the state over what was expected.

“It’s just that, unfortunately, Washington, D.C., they’re not getting their acts together, and people will be hungry in the state of Indiana,” Qaddoura said. “I think the responsible thing for us to do as legislators and as a committee is truly to work with the governor’s office and be sure that at least for the upcoming month, hopefully, until they reopen the federal government, that no one in our state goes hungry.”

Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, said the administration appears to have options but the issue is too complicated to add to the committee’s agenda. Republicans voted 3-2 against the move.

The FSSA said current balances on EBT cards remain available for use. Hoosiers in need of support are encouraged to call 211 to learn about local resources and services available.

“The surest way to protect Hoosiers from a disruption in their SNAP benefits is for Senate Democrats to quickly pass the Clean Continuing Resolution,” FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said in a statement. “Until then, families across Indiana are left in limbo — their ability to put food on the table tied up in political gridlock.”

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future under changes from President Donald Trump’s administration.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs depending on their error rates starting October 2027, and they’ll have to pony up for 75% of the administrative costs beginning October 2026. Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates.

* * *

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post GOP squashes food aid for Hoosiers facing SNAP disruption appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — On a warm October evening — thirteen months before next year’s general election and in the middle of a government shutdown — the political gears were turning in Warsaw.

About two dozen people, including one with a bullhorn, attempted to blunt the enthusiasm of some 300 diehard Republicans who gathered at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion Monday to show support for four Kosciusko County Council candidates who plan to run in next year's election.

[caption id="attachment_120701" align="alignright" width="420"] An unidentified woman at right leads a series of chants Monday night outside of the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw, where Republicans had gathered for a candidate reception. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The small but vocal gathering protested outside of the pavilion with hopes of catching the attention of two Republican members of Congress who were expected to attend the event.

The huge political gathering inside was organized weeks ago to support four district council candidates — Tony Ciriello, Dave Wolkins, Brad Jackson, and Joe Irwin, who will be on the May primary ballot and already gained the support of an impressive list of Republicans.

[caption id="attachment_120702" align="alignright" width="420"] Third District Congressman Marlin Stutzman smiles while addressing a large crowd Monday at a reception for candidates at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The protest outside the pavilion entrance was hastily arranged and announced to the media on Monday. It attracted a smaller crowd compared to previous recnt rallies held earlier this year near the Warsaw library.

But everyone arriving at the reception was fully aware of the protest.

Monday's protest was moved to get the attention of US Reps. Marlin Stutzman and Rudy Yakym. Stutzman attended and spoke at the reception and Yakym, who did not attend, provided a taped message.

The impromptu protest coincides with a growing concern among some that Republicans do not intend to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. Without the subsidies, premiums are expected to double or triple, making the insurance unaffordable for many Americans.

"Republicans have been in control of all three branches of government, and they've done nothing about healthcare," said Robert Osbun, treasurer for the Kosciusko County Democratic Party who talked with News Now Warsaw during the protest.

"Their only solution to healthcare is to cut it. They can extend tax cuts for millionaires, but they cut healthcare for us. That's the solution for health care? Americans aren't buying it," Osbun said.

Brian Smith, who chairs the Democratic Party's 2nd Congressional District, said the protesters intentionally targeted the GOP gathering.

"We also wanted to let people know that while Republicans are busy fundraising like everything is business as usual, we're fighting to save their healthcare," Smith said.

Rokita brought up the protesters while making a pitch for the four candidates.

"Who rented the protesters?" Rokita quipped.

"These people put illegal aliens above you. These people put criminals on the street above you. They do not like America as we know it," Rokita said.  "And it's time to stop coddling."

Stutzman spoke briefly.

“It’s great to be with you. I’m on furlough right now,” Stutzman said.

“I keep coming home and people keep telling me, ‘Just leave it shut down,’ “ he said, adding, “We’re actually saving money this way.’ ”

Mishler emceed the candidate reception.

The four candidates each highlighted their conservative approach to governance.

Jackson is a former county commissioner who announced his run two weeks ago and is running for a seat currently held form fellow Republican Kimkberly Cates.

Irwin, who was appointed by a GOP caucus earlier this year, said he wants to represent farm interests.

Wolkins is a former state lawmaker and former Winona Lake Town Council member.

Ciriello is a longtime coroner and has a lengthy background in law enforcement. He currently serves as council president.

[caption id="attachment_120704" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita stands in the middle of a crowd during his address Monday at the GOP reception in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120703" align="aligncenter" width="696"] A view of Monday's reception at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw. News Now Warsw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_120706" align="aligncenter" width="696"] An unidentified woman (Center) leads a series of chants Monday night outside of the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion in Warsaw, where Republicans had gathered for a candidate reception. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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