Indiana Republican chair steps down week after sweeping election losses

Indiana Republican Chair Lana Keesling resigned from the position Thursday amid the party turmoil following last week’s widespread election wins by Democrats.

Keesling will be replaced temporarily by party Vice Chair Jim Johnson until a permanent chair is selected, the state party office said in announcing her decision.

Gov. Mike Braun tapped Keesling in February 2025 to become the fourth state Republican chair in less than 18 months, calling her an experienced party leader who would be “a strong partner for grassroots leaders and elected Republicans in Indianapolis and Washington.”

The state GOP central committee ratified the selection of Keesling, who was then the elected Fort Wayne city clerk before stepping down this past January.

Keesling said in the statement that serving as state chair has been an “incredible honor” and thanked Braun and other party leaders for their support.

Braun: Election results a ‘wake-up call’ for GOP

“It has been a privilege to stand alongside them and witness firsthand the dedication that drives our organization,” she said. “As I step away from this role, I do so with gratitude for the relationships built and experiences gained. I wish the next chair and the entire Indiana Republican Party continued success as they move forward.” 

Keesling maintained a fairly low public profile as the state Republican leader, keeping her public appearances principally to local party events.

Her resignation comes as Indiana Republicans are recalibrating from last week’s elections that saw Democrats gain their first statewide victories since 2012 as Beau Bayh captured the secretary of state’s office and Jessica Bailey prevailed for comptroller.

Democrats also flipped a congressional seat with J.D. Ford’s victory over Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz and at least 21 state legislative seats previously held by the GOP.

Braun last week called the sweeping election gains by Democrats a “wake-up call” and an “opportunity” for Republicans to refocus their agenda on issues of affordability. 

The governor, however, did not mention the election results in remarks issued by the party about Keesling’s resignation. He thanked her for her service and said he would work with the Republican state committee on the search for a new party chair.

“We have a golden opportunity to strengthen our party and address the kitchen-table issues facing families across Indiana,” Braun said in the statement.

Johnson, who will be the interim party leader, became the state Republican vice chair when Keesling was elected while also serving as the Montgomery County GOP chair.

He has been deputy chief of staff at the Indiana Department of Transportation since August 2025 after previously working as the agency’s intergovernmental affairs director and as a state Senate staffer.

The GOP leadership change continues the frequent turnover that’s happened since Kyle Hupfer, a confidant of then-Gov. Eric Holcomb, stepped down in August 2023 after six years as state party chair.

Anne Hathaway then led the party for 10 months before Randy Head held the position for five months through the 2024 election, setting up Keesling’s tenure.