Claim OwnershipThe Rob Kendall Show Podcast
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© 2026 The Rob Kendall Show
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The Rob Kendall Show has your recap of the week's big stories of politics, government, and pop culture.
177 Episodes
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President Donald Trump is following through on a promise to do everything he can do defeat Republican Senators in Indiana who voted against redistricting. Over the past week, the president has issued a slew of endorsements to often times little known, underfunded challengers. Can Trump's blessing make the difference? And what will the fallout be for Trump if voters reject his seal of approval? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. (1/28/26)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Campaign finance reports are in and the big winner for 2026 appears to be Democrat Beau Bayh, who is running for Secretary of State. The son of former Indiana Governor and Senator Evan Bayh has pulled in a massive $1.8 million in just a few months and has blown past the totals raised by incumbent Diego Morales. Can Bayh continue the momentum to give himself and Democrats life in November? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings (1/23/26)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a bombshell allegation, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz claims that Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is under a Grand Jury investigation related to a political advertisement which ran last year featuring Marion County election workers. Plus, Braun is set to deliver the State of the State, township governments are once again under fire, and much more, as Shabazz joins Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt for Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For years, residents in Dubois County have pushed back on a multi-billion dollar proposal to connect I-64 and I-69 known as the Mid-States Corridor. Much of their ire has been focused at one of the project's biggest supporters, Governor Mike Braun. The backlash has been so intense, a recent poll showed a shocking 62 percent of Dubois County residents (Braun's home county) disapprove of the job he is doing. Now, questions about the Mid-States Corridor are coming to the Statehouse, as politicians are beginning to question the massive price tag while INDOT is scrapping hundreds of other projects. Is the Mid-States Corridor Braun's newest long-lasting headache? Rob, Abdul, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. (1/7/26)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's our final episode of 2025! On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt take a look back at a very rough year for Indiana's governor. From failures on property taxes and redistricting, to skyrocketing utility bills, Braun has his work cut out for him in 2026. (12/29/25)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Independent Indiana is a new group dedicated to getting Independent Candidates to not only run but also win public office. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Executive Director Nathan Gotsch joins Rob Kendall to discuss polling that shows Hoosiers are ready and willing to vote for the right candidates breaking away from the two-party system. (12/21/25)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite repeated warnings from Senate President, Pro Tempore Rod Bray, Governor Mike Braun insisted on an up or down vote on mid-cycle redistricting. He got his wish late last week. In the face of intense pressure from not just Braun, but also Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and Turning Point USA, the senate resoundingly rejected adopting new congressional maps by a vote of 31-19. In a saga with many losers, arguably Indiana's Governor and Lt. Governor are at the top of the list. Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt, and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With a final vote scheduled for Thursday in the Senate, the push for mid-cycle redistricting has hit the home stretch in Indiana. With both sides amping up the pressure, will Governor Mike Braun be able to muscle it across the finish line? Or will the governor suffer an embarrassing defeat in front of the entire nation? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Indiana House of Representatives is meeting this week and appear ready to approve a new congressional map against public outcry. The real drama begins next week, when the senate will meet to discuss redistricting. Many believe the upper chamber still does not have the votes to approve Governor Mike Braun's top priority. Led by Rod Bray, could the Indiana Senate be set to deliver an embarrassing blow to Braun in front of the entire nation? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On a special Thanksgiving edition of Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Jim Merritt and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz sit down to review some of the stories they were most "thankful" for in 2025. Not necessarily the outcome, but stories that helped shape the program and impacted the listening audience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Indiana Senate met for Organization Day and said we will see you in January. That appeared to leave Governor Mike Braun's quest for mid cycle redistricting without a path forward. Braun did not take the news well with a flurry of interviews and statements demanding senators return in December to vote on new maps. The governor also threatened to compel senators to return and said he would work to defeat those who did not. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt discuss a wild day at the Statehouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There appears to be a new trend at Indiana Republican functions: The media isn't welcome. From an outright ban at the State Fall Dinner to only allowing media if they purchased a ticket at an event in Owen County, it appears Republicans don't want the media covering their events. The question is why? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
State Senator Greg Goode claims he is undecided on redistricting in Indiana. So he held a townhall in Terre Haute to hear from his constituents. Overwhelmingly, they came out against the idea. In fact, not one person spoke in favor. The event was a disaster for Republicans who claimed polls showing Hoosiers do not want redistricting were wrong. Will Goode's townhall be a red flag to other senators on the fence? Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reporting from multiple media outlets in Central Indiana have confirmed what has been reported for months: Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith's Office is under investigation by a Marion County Grand Jury. According to the Indy Star and others, the investigation is related to potential sharing of intimate images and ghost employment. The Lt. Governor has repeatedly denied knowledge of the investigation. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz and Jim Merritt the confirmation of the Grand Jury investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The future of utility bills could hang in the balance with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission set to appoint three new members. Luckily for Statehouse Happenings, we got a guy! Our own panelist Jim Merritt serves on the committee making the recommendations to the governor. On this week's program, Rob Kendall and Abdul-Hakim Shabazz join Merritt to discuss what he and the panel are looking for in from applicants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Within hours of each other, multiple polls showed that Hoosiers are down on redistricting and their governor. As sour as Indiana residents appear to be on changing congressional maps, they may be even less impressed with Mike Braun's performance. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss why the governor and General Assembly won't let redistricting go, and how Braun can right the ship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beau Bayh, son of former Indiana Governor and US Senator Evan Bayh has announced he is running for Secretary of State. This sets up a potential matchup between Bayh and Republican Secretary of State Diego Morales. Bayh's entry to the race gives Democrats perhaps their best opportunity in years to pick up a statewide office. Can Bayh bring the Democrats back to relevance in Indiana? Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt discuss on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Several months have passed since Governor Braun signed a much-reviled property tax reform bill into law. As more people learn about the specifics of the bill, public sentiment is only getting worse. From local governments who feel they're losing too much, to taxpayers who did not feel they got nearly enough, the governor's signature issue of 2025 has become a major liability. On this week's Statehouse Happenings, Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt examine how the bill got so bad, and what, if anything, can be done to fix it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Veteran Indianapolis newsman Jim Shella recently sat down with Indiana Senate President, Pro Tempore Rod Bray. One of the questions Shella asked Bray was about Republican plans to redraw congressional districts across the state. Bray wanted no part of the question and refused to provide an answer with any specifics. Which has our Statehouse Happenings crew questioning why the redistricting question rages on if even party leadership doesn't want any part of it? Rob Kendall and Jim Merritt explore on Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Indiana's Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Suzie Jaworowski has made headlines for encouraging companies attempting energy projects to sue local governments if they don't get their way. Jaworoski, a cabinet member of Governor Mike Braun, made the shocking remarks while speaking to the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. Her attacks on local governments across the state sparked immediate blowback. Rob Kendall, Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, and Jim Merritt examine Jaworowski's inflammatory statements and the potential fallout on this week's Statehouse Happenings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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