Indiana voters pick state senators, reps; fill 3 offices; approve balance budget

INDIANAPOLIS (AP/WISH) — Half of the seats in the 50-member Indiana Senate and all 100 seats in the Indiana House were up for election Tuesday.

Republican supermajorities in both chambers have left Democrats largely powerless over the past six years.

Several longtime legislators decided not to seek new terms this year.

The GOP’s 41-9 Senate margin meant Democrats must pick up at least eight seats.

Democrats needed to add four House seats to break the current 70-30 Republican supermajority.

Three statewide races — secretary of state, auditor and treasurer — were on Tuesday’s ballot.

In all three races, the Republican incumbents sought re-election. Democrat opponents were in all three races, and Libertarian opponents were in the races for secretary of state and auditor.

Hoosier voters also decided whether Indiana’s constitution should be amended for the second time in two years.