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Indiana politicos, delegates react to the Biden withdrawal • Indiana Capital Chronicle

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Indiana politicos, delegates react to the Biden withdrawal • Indiana Capital Chronicle


Indiana politicians from both sides of the aisle were quick to weigh in on the seismic shift in the presidential race following President Joe Biden’s decision on Sunday to end his reelection campaign and endorse vice president Kamala Harris for the role.

Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race comes weeks after his debate against former President Donald Trump, where his performance sparked criticism and pressure from other Democratic leaders. 

Indiana is sending 88 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August, and some of them also reacted to the stunning news. Many declined to comment, however.

“I’m absolutely going to support the Democrat ticket, and it’ll be fun to find out who’s running for vice president,” said former state senator Karen Tallian of Porter County. She also said she is supporting Harris for president.

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Derek Camp, a delegate who serves as the Allen County Democratic Party, emphasized that delegates “still have a few weeks” to decide on their nominees. Camp said support for Harris seems more decided, but he plans to “let the process play out over the next few days and weeks” before casting his vote.

“I think what we’ll see is probably a party that’s nationally unified behind Vice President Harris, moving forward,” Camp said. “She’s been there with (Biden) the last three-plus years doing that work with him, so she’s certainly more than capable of stepping into that role.”

He said the president’s announcement “goes to show who Joe Biden is as a person.”

“He’s dedicated his lifetime to serving this country — in the senate, as vice president, and then president — and he’s done a lot to move this country forward, including the all the stuff that he passed the last three years … the rescue plan, the infrastructure plan, the CHIPS Act,” Camp continued. “All of that goes towards his legacy as someone who will go down in history as one of the most consequential presidents, I think, in our modern times.”

Party apparatus speaks

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl thanked the President for leading the country and his work in office and endorsed Harris as Biden’s successor. He highlighted Biden’s efforts to pass several key pieces of legislation, including the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. 

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“More than anyone, President Biden understands the importance of this election and this moment,” he said. “That’s why after deliberation and thought, he has decided to leave the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and stop Project 2025.” 

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl (Contributed photo)

“Americans are hungry for a new generation of leadership from the White House to local offices to move America forward with liberty and justice for all,” Schmuhl continued. “Now is the time to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump and continue the progress of the last three-plus years.” 

Several other Indiana Democrats — including U.S. 7th District Congressman André Carson and Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend and current U.S. Transportation Secretary — also thanked Biden for his leadership on X.  

“I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished under President Biden, like setting our economy on the right path after COVID-19,” Carson said in a post on X. “Democrats stand for reason and justice, and we stand on the right side of history. Onward.” 

“Joe Biden has earned his place among the best and most consequential presidents in American History,” Buttigieg said in his own X post. “I am so proud to serve under his leadership, and thankful for his unwavering focus on what is best for our country.” 

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Former U.S. Ambassador and Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly said in another X post he worked with Biden to pass the Affordable Care Act and support Chrysler workers’ jobs in Indiana.

“President Biden devoted his whole life to our country. I am so grateful for his service and friendship. God bless you, Joe Biden. We owe you a big thank you and debt of gratitude,” Donnelly said. 

GOP reaction

Indiana Republican politicians have also shared their thoughts on Biden’s decision to drop out of the race. 

“If Biden ending his campaign is in the best interest of his political ‘party and the country,’ it raises legit questions about his ability to continue to serve as president,” Ethan Lawson, a Republican candidate for the Indiana House, said in an X post

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-District 3, also weighed in on X

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Third District Congressman Jim Banks. (Nathan Gotsch/Fort Wayne Politics)

“Every Democrat knew Joe Biden couldn’t run for office,” Banks wrote in the post. “They set him up to embarrass himself at the debate with Trump. Now they’re robbing their voters of a choice in the nominee so their party elites can choose! Hijacking democracy!” 

He added in another post that “If Joe Biden if is unfit for campaigning, he’s unfit for office. If Joe doesn’t resign, the 25th amendment must be invoked!”

Other Democratic reaction includes from Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick and Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells.

“Respecting and appreciating the legacy of President Biden’s service, I support his decision to not seek re-election to another term,” McCormick said. “President Biden has been a steadfast patriot and leader for our country. His decision to withdraw from the presidential race is yet another act of service in a long and distinguished career dedicated to the betterment of the United States. President Biden’s tenure in public service has been marked by kindness. We should honor President Biden’s legacy, patriotic devotion, and service to our country as we move forward. It is time for the Democratic Party to build on the myriad accomplishments of the Biden administration and strive to uphold the values of integrity, justice, and unity that he has exemplified.” 

Wells said she is “forever grateful for the direction President Biden has led our country—let’s continue due north and get to work. Anything is possible and I am anxious to seize the opportunities ahead,” stated Destiny Wells. “I join all Americans in rallying to continue President Biden’s work by supporting Vice-President Kamala Harris.”

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Indiana redistricting is up for a final, deciding vote in the state Senate – The Boston Globe

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Indiana redistricting is up for a final, deciding vote in the state Senate – The Boston Globe


Indiana state senators are expected to take a final, high-stakes vote on redistricting Thursday after months of pressure from President Donald Trump, and the outcome is still uncertain.

Even in the face of one-on-one pressure from the White House and violent threats against state lawmakers, many Indiana Republicans have been reluctant to back a new congressional map that would favor their party’s candidates in the 2026 elections.

Trump is asking Republican-led states to redistrict in the middle of the decade, an uncommon practice, in order to make more winnable seats for the GOP ahead of next year’s elections. Midterms tend to favor the party opposite the one in power, and Democrats are increasingly liking their odds at flipping control of the U.S. House after the results of recent high-profile elections.

In Indiana, Trump supports passage of a new map drawn up by the National Republican Redistricting Trust designed to deliver all nine of the state’s congressional districts to the GOP. Republicans currently hold seven of the nine seats.

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On Wednesday night, he sharply criticized party members who didn’t want to go along with the plan, and he repeated his threat to back primary challenges for anyone who voted against it.

“If Republicans will not do what is necessary to save our Country, they will eventually lose everything to the Democrats,” Trump wrote on social media.

The new map would split the city of Indianapolis into four districts, each included with large portions of rural Indiana — three of which would stretch from the central city to the borders of nearby states. Indianapolis now makes up one congressional district long held by Democratic U.S. Rep. André Carson.

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The proposed map is also designed to eliminate the district of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, who represents an urban district near Chicago.

A dozen lawmakers of the 50-member state Senate have not publicly declared a stance on the new maps.

If at least four of that group side with the chamber’s 10 Democrats and 12 other Republicans who are expected to vote no, the vote would fail in a remarkable rebuke to Trump’s demand.

Supporters of the proposed map need at least 25 yes votes; a tie would be broken with Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s vote, who is in favor of redistricting.

In a Senate committee Monday, the redistricting legislation took its first step toward passage in a 6-3 vote, with one Republican joining the committee’s two Democrats in voting against it. However, a few of the Republican senators indicated they may vote against the bill in a final vote.

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The Republican supermajority in the state House passed the proposed map last week. Twelve Republicans voted with the chamber’s 30 Democrats against the bill.

Nationally, mid-cycle redistricting so far has resulted in nine more congressional seats that Republicans believe they can win and six more congressional seats that Democrats think they can win. However, redistricting is being litigated in several states.

Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina quickly enacted new GOP-favorable maps. California voters recently approved a new map in response to Texas’ that would favor Democratic candidates, and a judge in Utah imposed new districts that could allow Democrats to win a seat, after ruling that Republican lawmakers circumvented voter-approved anti-gerrymandering standards.

Multiple Republican groups are threatening to support primary opponents of Indiana state senators who vote against redistricting. Turning Point Action pledged “congressional level spending” in state Legislature races if the redistricting measure does not pass. Trump has also vowed to endorse primary challengers of members who vote against the new map.





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DoorDash driver accused of pepper-spraying customer’s Arby’s order, resulting in wife falling ill

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DoorDash driver accused of pepper-spraying customer’s Arby’s order, resulting in wife falling ill


Caught red (pepper) handed.

A DoorDash driver has been banned from the app after being accused of dousing an order with pepper spray and causing an unsuspecting customer to fall ill after eating the tainted food.

The sick act was caught on a doorbell camera outside an Evansville, Indiana, home just after midnight on Sunday.

A DoorDash driver sprays an unknown substance on a food delivery order in Evansville, Indiana, on Dec. 7, 2025. Mark Cardin/Facebook

The driver, who hasn’t been charged with any crime, was dropping off an Arby’s delivery to Mark Cardin and his wife, Mandy, when she snapped a confirmation photo before suddenly producing an object from her pocket and spraying the order.

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The blue-haired worker placed the spray back into her jacket pocket before walking away, all in front of the camera.

The couple brought the order inside, unaware that something was wrong with it and began chowing down.

Moments later, Mandy began struggling to breathe.

“I noticed my wife had starting eating and she started choking and gasping, and after she had a couple bites of her food she actually threw up,” he told WFIE.

Mandy and Mark Cardin ordered Arby’s to their home through DoorDash on Dec. 7, 2025. Mark Cardin/Facebook
The sick act was caught on a doorbell camera outside an Evansville, Indiana, home just after midnight on Sunday. Mark Cardin/Facebook

The horrified customer began investigating the cause of his wife’s sudden illness when he examined the order.

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“I had a look at the bag and seen that there was some kind of spray or something,” Cardin said. “The bag had been tampered with. So I pulled up my doorbell camera and seen that the lady who dropped the food off had actually tampered with it on purpose for some reason.”

Cardin shared the photos and videos of the driver to Facebook asking for help in identifying the driver.

He attempted to contact her but found she already blocked him on the app.

Cardin shared the photos and videos of the driver to Facebook asking for help in identifying the driver. Mark Cardin/Facebook

Cardin reported the food runner’s stunt to DoorDash and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is looking to get the driver fired and charged.

“I definitely want to see her prosecuted,” Cardin told WFIE, adding that they had never met her before and had left a tip before the incident.

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The driver has been banned from the app after footage surfaced of the late-night delivery.

“We have zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior. The Dasher in question has been permanently removed from the platform, and our team is standing by to support law enforcement with any investigation,” a DoorDash spokesperson told The Post.

The driver has been banned from the app after footage surfaced of the late-night delivery. Mark Cardin/Facebook

Cardin doesn’t know exactly what was sprayed on the food, fearing it could’ve been worse than it was.

“It’s horrific,” Cardin said. “We assume it’s pepper spray, that’s more than likely what it is, but now in this day and age it could’ve been anything. It could’ve been rat poison, it could’ve been fentanyl. I mean, my wife could’ve been dead.”

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into the driver and could charge her with consumer product tampering, a level 6 felony, according to WFIE.

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If the foreign spray resulted in harm the charge could be increased to a level 5 felony.

“We live in a terrible world right now,” Mark said. “Horrific. People are mean for no reason. There was no reason to do what she done,” Cardin said, encouraging other food delivery app users to be cautious with their future orders.

“I would say to anybody, if you order food on any kind of delivery service, make sure you have a doorbell,” Mark said.

“This is making me second guess ever ordering food from anywhere ever again,” he said.

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Several northeast Indiana cities, counties awarded grants for infrastructure projects

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Several northeast Indiana cities, counties awarded grants for infrastructure projects


NORTHEAST INDIANA (WPTA) – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced the list of cities and counties selected to receive funds through its Community Crossings Matching Grant Program.

The Community Crossings program, created in 2016, gives funding to towns, cities, and counties in the Hoosier State that are used for infrastructure improvement projects.

Projects eligible for funding through the program include road and bridge preservation projects that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, along with chip sealing and crack-filling operations.

On Tuesday, the following recipients were announced:

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Allen County, Bluffton, DeKalb County, and LaGrange County were among those that received the largest grants, at $1 million.

You can view the full list of recipients here.

INDOT says the next call for project submissions will open in July. For more information about the program, visit INDOT’s website.

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