A Gregg win for governor would shift the political landscape at the statehouse

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Indiana could see a political alignment it hasn’t had in 20 years if John Gregg wins the governorship.

Republicans are assured of keeping control of the Senate, and all but certain to keep the House. That would make Gregg the first Democratic governor with a Republican legislature since 1996. House Speaker Brian Bosma says he still hopes to be working with a Republican governor in Eric Holcomb, but if Gregg wins, he expects legislators will be able to work with Gregg. He notes he and Gregg were law school classmates, along with current Governor Mike Pence. And Bosma was minority leader when Gregg was House speaker, and says the two were able to work together.

One reason Bosma expects a smooth working relationship is that Indiana’s constitution gives the legislature the stronger cards — a simple majority is enough to override a veto.

Democrats need an implausible 21-seat gain to win control of the House, but a five-seat gain would break Republicans’ supermajority. Bosma sounds resigned to losing some seats, but he’s shrugging off the significance of the supermajority’s ability to prevent Democratic walkouts. He says past walkouts angered voters enough to give control to Republicans in the first place.