Garten announces Indiana Senate leadership and committee chair appointments

Garten announces Indiana Senate leadership and committee chair appointments

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 10, 2026) — Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) today announced his full leadership team, Senate committee chairs and ranking members for the upcoming legislative session, emphasizing a renewed commitment to collaboration, accountability and delivering meaningful results for Hoosiers.

“These appointments reflect my confidence in the talent, experience and dedication of our Senate Republican Caucus,” Garten said. “We have assembled a strong leadership team that brings diverse perspectives and proven experience to the table. Every senator has an important role to play, and I am committed to empowering our members to lead, take ownership and deliver results for the people we serve.”

Garten said the appointments are part of his broader vision to strengthen the Senate as an institution while ensuring lawmakers remain focused on the issues that matter most to Hoosier families.

“Hoosiers expect us to address the challenges impacting their everyday lives, from affordability and public safety to education, healthcare and economic opportunity,” Garten said. “Our committee chairs will play a critical role in advancing thoughtful, responsible policies that move Indiana forward. I expect them to challenge conventional thinking, encourage meaningful debate and approach their responsibilities with a sense of urgency.”

Garten also emphasized the importance of building a unified caucus that values the experience and contributions of every member.

“Leadership is not about titles or positions. It’s about service, responsibility and accountability,” Garten added. “We will foster an environment where members are empowered to lead, differing perspectives are respected and decisions are made with transparency. Our success will ultimately be measured by the results we deliver for Hoosiers.”

Senate Republican Leadership Appointments

• President Pro Tempore: Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown)
• Majority Floor Leader: Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
• Assistant President Pro Tempore: Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
• Majority Caucus Chair: Sen. Dr. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo)
• Majority Whip: Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis)
• Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus: Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville)
• Assistant Majority Floor Leader for Parliamentary Affairs: Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton)
• Assistant Majority Floor Leader for Communication: Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
• Assistant Majority Caucus Chair: Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (R-Indianapolis)
• Assistant Majority Caucus Chair: Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford)
• Assistant Majority Whip: Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne)
• Assistant Majority Whip: Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen)

Senate Committee Chair Appointments
The following senators have been selected to serve as committee chairs and ranking members:

• Agriculture: Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg)
• Appropriations: Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis)
• Commerce and Technology: Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
• Corrections and Criminal Code: Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Brett Clark (R-Avon)
• Elections: Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland)
• Environmental Affairs: Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne)
• Ethics: Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
• Family and Children Services: Sen. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Dr. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo)
• Health and Provider Services: Sen. Dr. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso)
• Higher Education: Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
• Homeland Security and Transportation: Sen. Mike Crider (R-Greenfield)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville)
• Insurance and Financial Institutions: Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton)
• Joint Rules: Senate President Pro Tem-Elect Chris Garten (R-Charlestown)
• Judiciary: Sen. Cyndi Carrasco (R-Indianapolis)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville)
• K-12 Education: Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute)
• Local Government: Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper)
• Natural Resources: Sen. Scott Alexander (R-Muncie)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange)
• Pensions and Labor: Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen)
• Public Policy: Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford)
• Rules and Legislative Procedure: Senate President Pro Tem-Elect Chris Garten (R-Charlestown)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
• School Funding Subcommittee: Sen. Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond)
• Tax and Fiscal Policy: Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Mike Gaskill (R-Pendleton)
• Utilities: Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon)
• Veterans Affairs and The Military: Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville)
       Ranking Member: Sen. Mike Crider (R-Greenfield)

Given the tremendous importance Indiana's education landscape has on the future of the state, Garten is transforming the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development into two distinct committees. Going forward, the Senate will have one education committee dedicated to the K-12 space, and one to higher education, so senators can focus on the unique needs of each student population.

Chair Emeritus Appointments
In recognition of their experience and years of service, the following senators have been designated chair emeritus and will serve as ranking member of the committee:

• Agriculture: Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg)
• Health and Provider Services: Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso)
• Judiciary: Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville)
• Natural Resources: Sen. Sue Glick (R-LaGrange)

“These appointments represent more than an organizational structure. They reflect our shared commitment to making the Indiana Senate a place where experienced leaders mentor the next generation, every member has an opportunity to contribute and results matter more than rhetoric,” Garten said. “We have an incredible opportunity to build on Indiana’s successes while confronting the challenges ahead. I have full confidence in this team, and I look forward to working alongside every member of our caucus to deliver the leadership Hoosiers deserve.”

The Indiana General Assembly will convene on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for Organization Day, the ceremonial start of the 2027 legislative session.

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Senate President Pro Tem Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) represents Senate District 45, which includes Clark County and a portion of Floyd County. Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

High-resolution photos of caucus members can be found here.

Additional background information on members of the Senate Republican Caucus can be found here.

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