GOP Sen. Kyle Walker Picks Up Endorsements After Abortion Bill Fallout

By Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

September 1, 2022

GOP Sen. Kyle Walker this week received several key endorsements in his Senate re-election campaign.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced its support Tuesday, marking the first candidate endorsement made by the state’s largest business advocacy organization. The Indiana State AFL-CIO and Indiana State Pipe Trades Association followed suit Thursday.

Walker, of Indianapolis, is up for a second term in Senate District 31, which encompasses parts of Hamilton and Marion counties, including all of Fishers and part of Lawrence. It was redrawn and is expected to be a tight race against Democrat Jocelyn Vare.

In its endorsement, the Chamber commended Walker’s “strong record” on economic development, jobs and cutting taxes. The business group also praised the senator’s work to improve quality of life metrics that are “important to Indiana employers and growing the state’s economy.”

“Senator Walker has led on key issues to fuel economic development and support job growth, accelerate entrepreneurial activity, strengthen public safety and improve quality of life,” Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar said in a statement. “He is an innovative, pro-jobs leader that’s making an impact to grow the Indiana economy and his district.

Walker voted against the the GOP-backed effort to adopt a near-total ban on abortions in Indiana during a special legislative session earlier this month. He said in a statement following the bill’s passage that it “does not strike the right balance for women to make their own health decisions while also protecting the life of the unborn.”

Both labor unions thanked Walker for his strong commitment to working families.

“State Senator Kyle Walker earned the support of the Indiana State Pipe Trades Association because he’s proven to be a leader who listens and who will stand up for the hard-working men and women who do quality work to build the backbone of our economy,” said ISPTA Executive Director Darrek Davis. “We believe our members and all Hoosiers can count on Senator Kyle Walker to be an advocate for good-paying jobs, training and skills development, excellent affordable healthcare and a strong quality of life.”

The Chamber made no mention in their endorsement of Walker’s stance on the abortion ban, instead pointing to multiple successful bills authored by Walker during the 2022 legislative session. That included an economic development legislation to attract sports, convention and tourism events to Indiana. The initiative is likely to generate “significant revenue, drive economic development and bring visitors to the Hoosier State,” according to the Chamber.

The organization also highlighted other legislation by Walker that seeks to help Indiana communities leverage private investment for infrastructure projects.

Additionally, the Chamber said it supported Walker’s efforts during the 2021 budget session to pass a $1.1 billion income tax cut for Hoosiers.

The Chamber has endorsed other lawmakers in previous state elections. In 2020, that included support for Republican Sens. Brian Buchanan of Lebanon, Sue Glick of LaGrange, and Justin Busch of Fort Wayne, as well as 15 candidates — on both sides of the aisle — for the Indiana House.

Other endorsements from the organization are expected to come ahead of the Nov. 8 election, said Jeff Brantley, who oversees the Chamber’s political action committee.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.