Garten to Lead Indiana Senate
Charlestown lawmaker selected unanimously to serve as president pro tempore starting next month.
By Rafael Bailey ·
State Sen. Chris Garten of Charlestown will head the Indiana Senate when lawmakers convene next month. The Republican majority caucus voted unanimously to elect him president pro tempore on Wednesday.
Garten named Sen. Eric Koch of Bedford as majority floor leader. The caucus also selected Sen. Tyler Johnson of Leo to serve as majority caucus chairman. These appointments structure the party's internal operations for the coming legislative year.
Under Senate rules, the Democratic caucus will vote on Garten's selection during Organization Day on Nov. 17. That date marks the ceremonial start of the 2027 General Assembly session at the Statehouse.
"I am incredibly humbled that my caucus members have named me the next Indiana Senate president pro tem," Garten said in a Wednesday press release. He added that the party must earn constituent trust daily and noted that Indiana and the country require bold leadership.
Garten outlined a plan to strengthen schools, defend freedom, and scrutinize tax spending. He said Republicans will seek ways to cut taxes further. The party must also rebuild House leadership after current speaker Todd Huston of Fishers lost his reelection bid Tuesday.
