Indiana House Republicans have selected Rep. Ben Smaltz of Auburn as their speaker-elect, choosing new leadership after a difficult midterm election for the caucus.
Democrats flipped at least 16 House seats in Tuesday's voting, including the Fishers district held by Speaker Todd Huston, and ended the Republican supermajority. Republicans kept a majority, but a much narrower one than in recent sessions.
Smaltz has served in the House since 2012 and has chaired the Rules Committee. Rep. Matt Lehman of Berne was chosen as majority leader and Rep. Jake Teshka of North Liberty as majority caucus chair.
In the Senate, Republicans kept their supermajority even as Democrats gained seats, and Sen. Chris Garten of Charlestown was elected Senate president pro tempore. Lawmakers return to the Statehouse on Nov. 17 for Organization Day, ahead of the 2027 session that begins in earnest in January.
