Indiana House Names Ben Smaltz as New Speaker

Republican caucus replaces Todd Huston after a major election night upset that also reshapes the state Senate's leadership.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Legislative Policy

Indiana House Names Ben Smaltz as New Speaker

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The Indiana House Republican Caucus replaced House Speaker Todd Huston with State Rep. Ben Smaltz following an election night upset. Chris Garten will succeed Rod Bray as Indiana State Senate President Pro Tem later this month.

Why it matters

The leadership shift follows the defeat of a Trump-backed redistricting bill, after several caucus members who helped block it lost their primaries. Democrats flipped 16 seats in the Indiana House, altering the chamber's balance heading into the 2027 session.

The Indiana State Senate defeated the redistricting bill 19-31, a vote that preceded the caucus leadership changes. Democrats flipped 16 seats in the Indiana House, though the extraction does not detail how those seats will affect upcoming floor votes.

The players

Ben Smaltz

Indiana State Representative from Auburn who introduced the redistricting bill and will serve as the next House Speaker.

Todd Huston

Outgoing Indiana House Speaker from Fishers who was replaced by the Republican caucus.

Chris Garten

Indiana State Senator from Charlestown who will succeed Rod Bray as Senate President Pro Tem.

Rod Bray

Indiana State Senator from Martinsville who chose not to seek the Senate leadership position again.

The details

Smaltz, who introduced the redistricting bill last year, will replace Huston as House Speaker heading into the 2027 legislative session. Smaltz said he intends to work across the aisle on affordability and that the state will explore ways to dial down gas prices inside Indiana as the state's gas tax holiday ends.

2025: Smaltz introduced the redistricting bill.
November 2026: Election night upset in the Indiana House Republican Caucus.
Later in November 2026: Garten succeeds Bray as Senate head.
November 17, 2026: New Senate and House leaders are sworn in.
2027 legislative session: Smaltz begins as House Speaker.

Political Context

The leadership shake-up is a direct consequence of the failed 2025 Trump-backed redistricting push, which Indiana's Senate rejected 19-31 after several caucus members who opposed it lost primaries. The episode shows intraparty resistance to White House-backed mid-decade redistricting in a state Republicans had long controlled.

Indiana residents may feel the change through the state's approach to affordability, as Smaltz said the state will explore ways to dial down gas prices inside Indiana. The gas tax holiday is ending, which could affect what drivers pay at the pump.

The takeaway

Leadership turnover in Indiana's legislature signals that lawmakers who resisted mid-decade redistricting faced consequences at the ballot box. Residents watching affordability and gas prices should track how the new Speaker follows through on bipartisan promises.

What happens next

The new Senate and House leaders will be sworn in on Tuesday, November 17, and Garten's succession as Senate President Pro Tem takes effect later this month.