Indiana Gov. Mike Braun answers reporter questions about execution drugs on Tuesday, June 24, in Indianapolis. Photo by Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle.

By Niki Kelly, Casey Smith and Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun on Friday, Nov. 21 condemned a wave of threats against state lawmakers – including ones he said targeted him and his family – shortly after Republican Sen. Andy Zay confirmed a bomb threat at his Huntington vehicle rental business.

The threats came amid a week of swatting attempts and other harassment aimed at Senate Republicans.

“Enough is enough,” the governor said in a Friday afternoon post on X. “These threats to lawmakers, including those received by me and my family in recent days, need to stop.”

Braun said Indiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been working “around the clock all week” to protect lawmakers and investigate the string of incidents.

The governor’s office said state police are investigating more than one “credible” threat made against the governor but did not provide details about the nature of those threats.

“Rest assured – if you threaten or attempt to carry out acts of violence against Indiana’s elected officials, we WILL bring you to justice,” Braun wrote.

Hours before Braun’s announcement, Zay shared about his experience.

“Yesterday, my business in Huntington was targeted with a bomb threat, which is part of the recent troubling pattern against lawmakers in Indiana,” Zay said in a news release.

“It’s unfortunate that my family and I continue to be threatened for my work as a public servant and state senator,” he added. “This is no way to weigh in on any public issue, even if you do not agree with my stance. My office is always open, and I encourage constituents with any concerns to reach out.”

Zay is supportive of a controversial proposal to redistrict Indiana’s congressional boundaries – and make Indiana’s two blue districts red – ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Sometimes you’re not ‘yes’ enough for some of our friends on the right, and when you get this mob mentality going, you know, it’s a little challenging,” Zay told the Capital Chronicle.

He said he has been quietly working behind the scenes with the Trump administration to move redistricting forward.

Zay pushed for an aggressive marketing campaign to explain why the new map is needed to the public. He said the pressure and influence needed to come more from constituents.

“Obviously, the administration has chosen an entirely different tactic, which I don’t agree with, which has kind of turned into this, this ugly, threatening, demeaning, bashing thing. I’m not surprised. It’s certainly not uncharacteristic of the administration, but I think we all would have been better served to have a stronger groundswell of support to bring it to a vote.”

Zay said he is hopeful that vote can still happen.

A fellow Republican, Sen. Kyle Walker of Lawrence, said Thursday, Nov. 20 that “attempts have been made to intimidate me and threaten violence at my home.” A spokesperson clarified Friday, Nov. 21 that it was a bomb threat. Walker is against early redistricting.

Four other GOP senators, all of whom oppose redistricting or are undecided, have been targeted in attempted swattings this week.

“Swatting” involves hoax calls or reports to emergency services intended to trigger armed responses – and can have lethal consequences for unwitting victims at the swatted location.

The spate of harassment prompted bipartisan condemnation from leaders in the Indiana House.

House Speaker Todd Huston and House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta denounced the threats in a joint Friday statement.

“The threats, swatting attempts and other criminal activity being directed at our colleagues in the Senate are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. This is no way to express political disagreement, and it must stop,” the duo said.

“We thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for responding to and investigating these crimes, and for keeping our elected officials and their families safe,” they continued. “This is incredibly harmful to those being directly impacted and to our entire state. We’re praying for our colleagues, their families and neighbors, and our law enforcement partners. We hope to see swift justice for anyone responsible for these crimes.”

Zay also thanked police and said he’s “hopeful that state and local law enforcement will be able to find those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions.”