Former Chairman Gordon K. Durnil speaks to the media during an event in support of George H.W. Bush. (Undated)

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Gordon K. Durnil, former chairman of the Indiana Republican State Committee from 1981 to 1989.

In 1997, Indiana Business Magazine referred to Gordon as "Indiana's Mr. Republican," and for good reason. For eight years, he served as the chairman of the Indiana Republican State Committee, longer than anyone in state history to this day. During that time, he was also a member of the Republican National Committee and served on the executive committee.

Gordon served in a management position in 41 Indiana statewide campaigns — 36 of which were won — for senators Lugar, Quayle, and Coats, governor Robert Orr, and presidents Nixon, Reagan, and H.W. Bush.

With these years in the trenches of Republican politics, he always had a story to tell, one of which is recounted in the Indiana Business Magazine: 

"He tells the story of a May 1988 ride through Indiana with Republican presidential candidate George Bush and then-Gov. Orr. Bush, who was campaigning in the Indiana primary, asked the two to tell him about Indiana's senator. Both Durnil and Orr immediately began waxing eloquent about Dick Lugar. Bush stopped them and said he had meant Quayle. Three months later, when Bush selected Indiana's junior senator as his running mate at the convention, Durnil was ready with Quayle posters and buttons.

"The friendship with Bush led to Durnil's second career as an environmental conservative. In 1989, the new president appointed Durnil to a seat on the International Joint Commission, or IJC, the appointed body that oversees boundary issues affecting the United States and Canada."

Gordon didn't just serve his party, state, and country, but his local community too. He served as a deputy Marion County prosecutor, deputy Indiana Attorney General, and as an elected judge in Marion County. He was also a founding board member of the Indiana Ronald McDonald House. 

Gordon lived a storied life, a life that is captured in his blog "Thoughts of an aging lawyer," which I encourage you to check out. 

Rest in peace, Gordon.

Thank you for your years of service to our party, state, and country. 

Sincerely,

Chairman Kyle Hupfer

P.S. With the tragic deaths of Elwood Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz, our friends and colleagues Rep. Jackie Walorski, Zach Potts, and Emma Thomson, and the shooting of Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton, who is currently fighting for her life, it has been a rough few weeks in our great state. Please join me in praying for peace and comfort for our fellow Hoosiers and their friends, families, and colleagues.

Last Friday, Governor Eric Holcomb released the following statement after signing Senate Enrolled Act 1 (ss) and Senate Enrolled Act 2 (ss) — passed during the 2022 special session — that protect life and provide financial relief for Hoosiers:

“Today, I proudly signed Senate Enrolled Act 2 to return $1 billion back to Hoosier taxpayers. This fulfills what I set out to accomplish when calling the General Assembly into special session in order help Hoosiers hurting from historically high inflation. I am also especially grateful for the nearly $100 million in long overdue increased funding to support the health of our Hoosier mothers and babies. While there is still more to do, better access and awareness of all our programs will be critical to improving our infant and maternal mortality rates – a long-standing priority of my administration.

“The exemplary teamwork and seriousness of purpose put into each element of SEA 2 is a testament to the elected leaders who helped shape it. I would like to thank Senator Travis Holdman, Chairman Doc Brown, and Representative Sharon Negele and the many other members from both sides of the aisle who contributed to the strength of the final product.

“The effort to provide the programmatic supports and the billion dollars of inflation relief contained in SEA 2 is all the more remarkable as it was crafted amidst the thorough and thoughtful debate on Senate Enrolled Act 1, which I also signed today.

“Following the overturning of Roe, I stated clearly that I would be willing to support legislation that made progress in protecting life. In my view, SEA 1 accomplishes this goal following its passage in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly with a solid majority of support. These actions followed long days of hearings filled with sobering and personal testimony from citizens and elected representatives on this emotional and complex topic. Ultimately, those voices shaped and informed the final contents of the legislation and its carefully negotiated exceptions to address some of the unthinkable circumstances a woman or unborn child might face.

“Thank you Senator Sue Glick and Representative Wendy McNamara for your brave authorship of SEA 1. Each of you demonstrated a steady hand and uncanny poise while carrying this once-in-a-generation legislation.

“Overall, I would be remiss if I did not share a special thanks to my friends House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray for their partnership, strength and resolve during the lead up and all the way through this special session. You each displayed the best Indiana has to offer in steering your respective chambers through unprecedented waters and delivering on your promises to conduct a respectful and thorough process.

“Lastly, to the people of Indiana, let me assure you that the democratic process marches on, and you should continue to reach out to all your elected representatives to have your voice heard. Looking back, I am personally most proud of each Hoosier who came forward to courageously share their views in a debate that is unlikely to cease any time soon. For my part as your governor, I will continue to keep an open ear.”

For a text version of the statement, click here.

From WANE:

The Indiana state delegation introduced a bill Sunday to name a clinic after late Indiana Representative Jackie Walorski. Walorski, her communications director Emma Thomson and her district director Zach Potts died in a car accident on Wednesday.

The bipartisan resolution would name the Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic in Mishawaka, Indiana the “Jackie Walorski VA Clinic.” Walorski served on the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for two terms.

Along with the entire Indiana delegation, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Republican Whip Steve Scalise, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Ranking Member Michael McCaul, and Rep. Ann Wagner joined this legislation as original cosponsors.

Representative Jim Banks said this about the bill:

“I can think of a no more fitting tribute than to name a VA facility in Indiana’s 2nd district after my friend Rep. Jackie Walorski. Jackie fought tirelessly to serve veterans in her district and renaming this facility in her honor ensures Rep. Walorski’s legacy of public service will live on for a long time to come.”

From FOX59:

While checks could arrive next week for Hoosiers awaiting their Automatic Taxpayer Refund payments, we have a clearer idea of when direct deposit payments will hit bank accounts.

The Indiana Department of Revenue will start issuing the second Automatic Taxpayer Refund in “late August.” The payments will include $200 for individual taxpayers and $400 for married couples filing jointly.

The money, the centerpiece of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s inflation relief plan, is the result of Senate Bill 2, which passed during the special session. Holcomb signed it into law on Friday, along with the state’s abortion bill.

The Department of Revenue continues to send out the $125 payments from the initial Automatic Taxpayer Refund. As of Aug. 3, DOR has issued more than 1.5 million refunds to more than 2.1 million taxpayers totaling $254 million, according to its website.

Story continues.

The so-called "Inflation Reduction Act" was never about reducing inflation but about doubling down on a tried-and-failed tax-and-spend strategy.

Read the latest research on the bill from the RNC by clicking here.

Sunday, Aug. 14: Pike Township (Marion County) Annual Ice Cream Social

Thursday, Aug. 18: Perry-Spencer Picnic

Friday, Aug. 19: Indiana Federation of Republican Women Tribute to Women Dinner

Saturday, Aug. 20: Indiana Federation of Republican Women Statewide Meeting

Saturday, Aug. 27: Lincoln Lawn Party

Sunday, Sept. 18: Johnson County Chairman's GOP Rally & Cookout

Governor Eric Holcomb celebrates the signing of CHIPS and Science Act, thanks Sen. Todd Young's leadership

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch releases statement on Evansville explosion

Treasurer Kelly Mitchell presents first-ever Indiana Treasurer of the State award for Innovation in Public Finance

Auditor Tera Klutz visits with state government interns at the statehouse

Secretary of State Holli Sullivan certifies Executive Order 22-12, calling a special election in IN-02

Attorney General Todd Rokita announces $2 million settlement, 22,000 Hoosiers eligible for refund

Senator Todd Young introduces resolution honoring the late Rep. Walorski

Senator Mike Braun introduces resolution honoring the late Rep. Walorski

Congressman Jim Banks details most radical policies in "Inflation Reduction Act"

Congressman Jim Baird calls out Democrats' attempts to remake the economy

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz to host townhall tomorrow

Congressman Greg Pence says Washington liberals are intent on crushing the American Dream

Congressman Larry Bucshon shares update from Joint Committee on Taxation on the Democrats' Inflation Act

Congressman Trey Hollingsworth urges FEC to to withdraw SAB 121

PAID FOR BY THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE. WWW.INDIANA.GOP.