Indiana’s Democratic Party will have a new leader in March after its chairman decided not to seek a second term.
Mike Schmuhl announced Saturday his decision to leave the state party’s top post to the Democrats’ state central committee.
His decision not to seek re-election comes on the heels of elections that dashed Democrats’ hopes in each of the state’s top primary races. President-elect Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris by nearly 19 points, and serious challenges to Republican control of the governor and attorney general seats never materialized as Republicans Mike Braun and Todd Rokita cruised to similarly lopsided victories.
These results prompted black faith leaders in Indianapolis to call for Schmuhl’s resignation, citing a “lack of progress” under his leadership.
“I know how difficult it can be to be a Democrat in Indiana, and over the past four years we have put our party on a path to future success by protecting what we have and building new bases of support,” said 41-year-old Schmuhl. Saturday.
“Our bank is bigger, and our party has more tools and more people involved in the political process to be successful,” he said.
State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl displays his gavel on Saturday, July 13, 2024, during the Indiana Democratic State Convention in Indianapolis.
He pointed to an increase in the number of Democratic mayors in the state over the past year, along with an increase in the number of donors supporting Democratic candidates. In a statement issued Saturday, Democrats also touted gains made in local government races, including claiming majorities in the Valparaiso and Muncie City Councils.
Still, Democrats in Indiana face significant headwinds, including persistent allegations of sexual harassment against senior officials.
This year, IndyStar investigations uncovered allegations against Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, and Thomas Cook, the former chief of staff to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Both have been accused by women of sexual harassment and unwanted romantic pursuits. Taylor and Cook have both apologized for past behavior. Niezgodski has called the allegations against him a “private personnel matter.”
Party leaders adopted a new code of conduct earlier in December and formed an ethics committee that will investigate possible violations of the code of conduct against its members.
Schmuhl’s term will end on March 15, 2025, when a new chairman will be elected. He took the state party leadership position after leading current U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign.
This article originally appeared on the Indianapolis Star: Mike Schmuhl, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, will not seek a second term
