The vaccine fight isn't over | Who is running for the statehouse

The business community may have killed plans for a short November legislative session, but that doesn't mean lawmakers' plans to severely restrict vaccine mandates were nixed.

House Republicans filed a bill this week that is nearly identical to the one they tried to rush through in a one-day session.

Under the bill, private businesses that have vaccine mandates would have to grant employees exemptions for religious or medical reasons and would have to give employees the choice to get tested weekly on the employer's dime instead of vaccinated. It also would make changes to state law to enable Gov. Eric Holcomb to end the emergency declaration, while keeping intact certain provisions. 

Unlike, the language lawmakers tried to pass in late November, the filed bill no longer explicitly requires employers to provide exemptions for those who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

House Republicans filed the bill as House Bill 1001, which typically means it's their top priority for session. Plus, 56 of the 71 Republicans in the chamber — including House Speaker Todd Huston — have signed onto the bill. 

And in case you missed what happened to the proposed one-day session in the days just before Thanksgiving, here's a recap. 

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How ending the health emergency could impact Hoosiers

The provision in House Bill 1001 getting considerably less attention is the language that would enable Holcomb to end the public health emergency. But many public health officials are warning that with cases and hospitalizations rising and winter approaching, now is not the time to make that move.

“This is not over yet,” said Paul Halverson, founding dean of the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. “Clearly we are not done with this pandemic and I think we run the risk of sending the wrong message with saying that the emergency order can be lifted.”

Because the one-day session was canceled, Holcomb did extend the public health emergency. But he and other Republican legislative leaders have made it clear they're looking for an end. 

ICYMI: 1st District could be most competitive 

Forget Indiana's 5th Congressional District. Northwest Indiana's 1st District — which has long been considered a Democratic bastion — has the potential to be the most competitive Indiana congressional race in 2022. 

Represented by U.S. Rep Frank Mrvan, the 1st is the lone Indiana district on the National Republican Congressional Committee's list of 70 House districts held by Democrats to target in 2022. Plus, Republican House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik put Jennifer-Ruth Green, one of Mrvan's potential general election challengers, on her PAC's list of 11 women to watch. 

It's also the only Indiana district listed as competitive by the non-partisan Cook Political Report's congressional ratings in the 2022 election cycle.

You're probably skeptical. We get it. We broke down why it could be considered a competitive district, even if it's not likely to flip in 2022. 

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Who is running for state treasurer

The Indiana Republican Party announced this week that its state convention will be held on June 18, 2022. During the convention, Republicans will nominate candidates for secretary of state, auditor and treasurer. 

Here's what you should know about the four candidates running for treasurer. 

Election update: who is running for the statehouse

We've been keeping an eye on who is entering what could be some of the more contentious General Assembly races, at least in part due to redistricting. Here are some of the new names to join the mix in the last couple of weeks:

• Andrea Hunley, an Indianapolis Public Schools Principal, announced she was entering the crowded Senate District 46 race last month. As we previously reported, Hunley joins Karla Lopez-Owens, Ashley Eason and Kristen Jones — all Democrats — in the campaign for the newly created Democratic-leaning Indianapolis Senate district.
• Kent Abernathy, a former 5th Congressional District Republican candidate, announced Wednesday that he is running for the soon-to-be vacant House District 25. The district is currently represented by Rep Don Lehe who was drawn into another district and has since announced his plans to retire. Becky Cash, also a Republican, is also running in the district which contains parts of Boone and Hendricks County.
• This week, both Democrat Victoria Garcia Wilburn, an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis professor, and Republican Suzie Jaworowski, former Indiana state director for Trump's 2016 campaign, announced they are running for House District 32. This district, which covers the western portion of Fishers and southern portion of Carmel and has no incumbents, could be in play for both parties.
• Last month, Republican Scott Alexander, the president of the Delaware County Council, announced he is running for the soon-to be vacant Senate District 26 on the state's eastern border. Melanie Wright, a former Democratic lawmaker, also plans to run in the district.
• Republican Spencer Deery,  a Purdue University administrator, formally launched his campaign for Senate District 23 on Thursday.  That district contains West Lafayette and Vermillion, Parke, Fountain and Warren Counties, plus a portion of Montgomery County. 

Another secretary of state candidate enters race

Kyle Conrad, a Newton County Commissioner, announced this week that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for secretary of state. He previously was an account manager for Governmental Business Systems, an election service and equipment provider in Indiana. 

He'll face current Secretary of State Holli Sullivan and Diego Morales, a former Mike Pence aide at the convention. 

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Hoosier Politics is compiled and written by the IndyStar politics and government team. Send us tips or let us know what you think of the newsletter by emailing Kaitlin.Lange@IndyStar.com.