22 questions that will shape Indiana politics in 2022

Plus: Scoop—A Democratic secretary of state candidate will launch her campaign this week.

Days until Election Day: 309

FIRST IN IMPORTANTVILLE: Destiny Scott Wells—an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel focused on military intelligence now off active duty, and currently an instructor with the Army Command and General Staff College—is expected to launch her campaign for Secretary of State on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Tinker House Events space.

A Democrat, Wells was associate corporation counsel for the city of Indianapolis and Marion County and Indiana deputy attorney general. She serves as Indiana Democratic Party's deputy chair for coalitions and expansion. IMPORTANTVILLE first reported her interest in the office in November.

Other candidates include incumbent Republican Holli Sullivan, Newton County Commissioner Kyle Conrad, Diego Morales, and Jeff Maurer, a Libertarian.

In addition to the Secretary of State's race, Indiana will see three other big statewide races this year, including for auditor, state treasurer, and a Senate contest. That's not to mention nine U.S. House races—not to mention pivotal Statehouse races.

We’ll be exploring all of that and more here in the coming months.

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Good morning, and welcome back to IMPORTANTVILLE. At the beginning of each year, I like to open up my reporter’s notebook and share some questions that I think could drive the news cycle in the coming months. From Indiana’s 2022 election year to former Vice President Mike Pence’s future, here are some Hoosier politics queries the answers to which I’ll be tracking in 2022:

1. As former President Donald Trump and his former Veep Mike Pence circle each other on the campaign trail in 2022, which one will post the better endorsement record for successful candidates?

2. Can Pence prove himself the steady pick for Republicans in 2024?

3. What will Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl have to show for his first election year come November?

4. Will the Indiana General Assembly further restrict abortion if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe vs. Wade?

5. Will any Hoosier lawmakers be implicated in Jan. 6 insurrection by the select committee?

6. Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, will Eli Lilly’s political arm continue their pause on political donations to members of Congress who voted to decertify the 2020 presidential election results? “LillyPAC has not resumed donations to Members of Congress who opposed certification of the 2020 election results,” Tarsis Lopez, senior director of global communications, told me earlier this year. The continued donation embargo impacts Rep. Jim Banks, Rep. Jackie Walorski, Rep. Jim Baird, and Rep. Greg Pence.

7. If Republicans take back the U.S. House of Representatives, could Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District—the current chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee—rise in GOP leadership?

8. Can any Democratic candidate put Republican Sen. Todd Young on his heels during Indiana’s Senate race?

9. Will Young finally secure Donald Trump’s endorsement?

10. Will Young see his signature legislative accomplishment—the $250 billion U.S. Innovation and Competition Act that proponents say makes the U.S. more competitive with China— cross the finish line?

11. Will Republicans make a serious go at the 1st Congressional District and Democratic incumbent Rep. Frank Mrvan?

12. Will Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visit Indiana for an infrastructure ribbon cutting—and what project will he tout?

13. Will Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announce his re-election bid after the Midterms?

14. What will Indiana lawmakers do with the forecasted extra $3.3 billion in revenue projects?

15. By the end of 2022, which wing of the Indiana Republican Party will be more ascendant—the Mitch Daniels-Eric Holcomb wing? Or the Mike Braun-Todd Rokita wing?

16. Could Indiana Republicans nominate a 2020 election denier in Diego Morales as a secretary of state candidate?

17. Who will Indiana GOPers pick as their state treasurer candidate at their 2022 convention?

18. Under the new leadership of Joe Elsener, will Marion County GOPers produce a competitive 2022 candidate for Marion County Prosecutor to take on the embattled Democrat Ryan Mears? Can they recruit a good Republican mayoral candidate for 2023?

19. What controversy will Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita stir next?

20. Will Indiana emerge economically stronger or weaker from the pandemic?

21. Will Indiana lawmakers make any long-term investments in public health departments following the pandemic?

22. Will Indiana lawmakers change their fundamental approach to economic development or continue down the same path?

Now, it’s your turn: What questions do you have about Indiana’s political scene in the coming months? Leave a message in the comments.