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Back to School


John,



As Hoosier students and parents prepare for the new school year, Indiana
Republicans have a lot to celebrate.



This week, Governor Braun underscored his commitment to protecting our schools
by appointing a proven leader to head Indiana’s new Office of School Safety.
Secretary Julie Q. Smith has dedicated her career to keeping students safe, and
her appointment is an important milestone in Governor Braun's public safety
agenda and a major step forward in ensuring that every Hoosier student can
learn in an environment where safety is never in question.



Indiana also enters the new school year celebrating historic progress in
literacy, with the latest statewide reading assessment showing the largest
gains in our history. These results are proof that when parents, educators, and
communities work together with a clear focus on fundamentals, students succeed.



From safeguarding our schools to equipping students with the skills they need
for lifelong success, our Republican leadership is delivering on their promise
to make Indiana the best place in America to learn, grow, and achieve.



As always, thank you for being a part of our team. Please feel free to reach
out if there's anything I can assist with.







Lana Keesling, Indiana GOP Chairwoman


 



 
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Governor Braun Announces Indiana's First Director of the Office of School
Safety



On Monday, Governor Braun reaffirmed his commitment to the safety of Hoosier
students by announcing that Julie Q. Smith will be Indiana's first Director of
the newly formed Office of School Safety.



Sergeant Julie Q. Smith is a national instructor for the National Association
of School Resource Officers and president of the Indiana School Resource
Officers Administration. She recently retired from the Columbus Police
Department, where she led the School Resource Officer Division.



"As a national leader in school safety, Julie is uniquely qualified for this
role and I have complete faith in her leadership of this important office."



- Governor Braun via a press release
<[link removed]>


Indiana's 3rd Grade Literacy Rate Sees the Largest Gain in Indiana History



The Indiana Department of Education announced Wednesday the results from the
2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment,
which showed a nearly five percentage point jump- the largest gain since the
Department began IREAD in 2013.



In a press release, the Indiana Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner,
commented on the historic numbers:



"Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of our educators, parents and
families, students, and local communities - we have turned the page, with
literacy rates now soaring at a historic pace. This is a time for celebration,
and it is also a time to double-down on our commitment to helping even more
students learn to read."



Governor Braun also commented on the historic numbers:



"As we work to make Indiana a beacon of freedom and opportunity, helping every
Hoosier to live out their American dream starts with theability to read. The
number of Indiana students learning to read is growing at an unprecedented rate
and is yet another example of how we are leading the nation in education. We
will continue to raise the bar and set the model for what is possible when we
prioritize educational outcomes and get back to the basics, focusing on the
foundations that unlock a lifetime of learning and success."



Governor Braun and Secretary Jenner via a press release
<[link removed]>




 

Congress of Counties

<[link removed]>

Congress of Counties isn’t just a conference—it’s a launching pad for Hoosier
Republicans ready to lead. Over two energizing days, you’ll gain hands-on
training in campaign strategy, data tools, messaging, and grassroots organizing
that you can bring back to your community. Whether you’re a county chair,
precinct leader, activist, or first-time volunteer, this event is your chance
to sharpen your skills and step into a bigger role within our party!

Click Here to Learn More <[link removed]>
Click Here to Register <[link removed]>

 

Indiana GOP is Hiring Interns for the Fall Semester

<[link removed]>

Looking to jumpstart your career in politics, public relations, or grassroots
organizing? The Indiana Republican Party is now accepting applications for our
Summer and Fall Internship Program!

✅ Gain hands-on experience in campaign strategy, communications, and event
planning
✅ Work alongside state leaders and build valuable connections
✅ Make a real impact on Republican efforts in Indiana

Apply Today! Spots are limited!

Click Here to Apply <[link removed]>


 

📱 News You Can Use


Governor Mike Braun joined <[link removed]>
the Keystone Cooperative's first Co-Op Classic to celebrate the producers who
feed, clothe, and fuel America.



Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith traveled
<[link removed]> to Lake County to
hear the issues affecting Northwest Indiana.



Secretary Diego Morales recognized
<[link removed]>
National Poll Worker Day and called on Hoosiers to serve, saying, "On this
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, I want to thank those who already serve
and call on others to join them. It’s a chance to serve your neighbors,
strengthen your community, and ensure our elections run smoothly and securely."



Treasurer Daniel Elliott met
<[link removed]> with Mayor Terry Amick
and Scottsburg’s leadership team to discuss how the Treasurer’s Office equips
local governments with tools to serve their communities.



Comptroller Elise Nieshalla applauded
<[link removed]>
the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for recommending Indiana
Senate Resolution 51, that sounds the alarm on the national debt, serve as a
model for state legislatures to pass across the country.



Attorney General Todd Rokita led
<[link removed]>
a 25-state brief defending schools’ right to
maintain sex-specific bathrooms and locker rooms, saying, “The Constitution
and Title IX support commonsense safeguards that respect biology and shield
kids from vulnerable situations.”



Senator Todd Young led
<[link removed]>
the US Congressional delegation to the Philippines, saying, "The Chinese
Communist Party continues to deny Filipino fishermen access to fishing grounds
just off their own coast, which is hundreds of miles from China. It is time for
China to obey the law and stop this recklessness."



Senator Jim Banks joined
<[link removed]> South Whitley for the
ribbon-cutting of the new Whitko Junior High School, saying, "I’m proud to be a
Whitko Middle School alum and grateful for the teachers who helped me get where
I am today."



Congressman Rudy Yakym commemorated
<[link removed]> his predecessor, the
late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski, saying, "Today, I was honored to
participate in the renaming of a road in Marshall County, a community she loved
deeply. May we never forget her selfless service to our nation."



Congressman Marlin Stutzman hosted
<[link removed]>
a job fair at Purdue University Fort Wayne in partnership with WorkOne, which
drew nearly 300 job seekers looking to jumpstart their careers. Employers
collected resumes, conducted interviews, and hired new employees in person at
the successful event.



Congressman Jim Baird celebrated
<[link removed]> President Trump's AI
Action Plan, saying, "As a member of the House Science Committee's Research &
Technology Subcommittee, I know it is critical for the U.S. to lead in
Artificial Intelligence (AI). President Trump'sAI Action Plan lays out key
priorities to secure America's leadership."



Congresswoman Victoria Spartz participated
<[link removed]> in a forum organized by
the Independent Colleges of Indiana, discussing the importance of innovation,
lifelong learning, and the serious reforms needed in our educational system to
align skills with the demands of the 21st-century economy.



Congressman Jefferson Shreve reported
<[link removed]> a 21% service improvement
at the USPS distribution hub in Indianapolis, saying, "There are good people at
our Postal Service, but the planning for this huge distribution hub was lousy —
and it’s been costly. We are making progress. And I’ll keep my foot on the gas
to continue delivering results.”



Congressman Mark Messmer joined
<[link removed]> the Southern Indiana
Development Commission to talk about his work in Congress to "ensure #IN08
remains the best place to open and run a business!"



Congresswoman Erin Houchin announced
<[link removed]>
that over $14 million in Community Project Funding she requested for Indiana’s
9th District will move forward in the House Appropriations process. “Every one
of these projects was driven by local leaders and community input,” said
Representative Houchin. “From public safety and water infrastructure to parks,
sidewalks, and trail improvements, this funding supports the quality of life
and growth of our communities.”


 

Upcoming Events Across the State


August 8: Hancock County Elephant Open & Picnic
<[link removed]>



August 16: Elise Nieshalla's Lincoln Lawn Party
<[link removed]>



August 21: Perry-Spencer Republican Picnic
<[link removed]>



August 23: Shreve's All-American Picnic
<[link removed]>



August 23: Indiana Federation of Republican Women Convention
<[link removed]>



August 23: Indiana Federation of Republican Women's Tribute
<[link removed]>



August 24: Bartholomew County Family Ice Cream Social
<[link removed]>



August 27: Monroe County Republican Party HQ Grand Opening
<[link removed]>



August 28: Grant County Elected Official & Candidate Meet & Greet
<[link removed]>



September 6: Madison County Chairwoman's Breakfast
<[link removed]>



September 6: Annual Elliott Family Hog Roast
<[link removed]>



September 6: Wells County Reagan Rally
<[link removed]>



September 9: Hancock County Lincoln Day Dinner
<[link removed]>



September 11: MDLF: Charting America’s Future
<[link removed]>



September 14: Johnson Republican Party Chairman’s GOP Rally and Cookout
<[link removed]>



September 15: Posey County GOP Golf Outing
<[link removed]>



September 20: Brown County’s Big Beautiful Bash
<[link removed]>



September 26: Hamilton County Great Outdoor Party
<[link removed]>



October 5: Red Bench Candidate School
<[link removed]>



February 20: Congress of Counties 2026
<[link removed]>



June 19: Indiana Republican State Convention 2026
<[link removed]>





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NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE. WWW.INDIANA.GOP.


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