The governor is the state's chief executive officer. They can recommend legislation to the General Assembly, sign or veto legislation. They also have the ability to issue executive orders on matters important to the state.
They fill judicial vacancies in between election years, grant pardons, appoint and remove department heads, and decide which holidays the state offices will be closed for.
The governor also serves as the commander-in-chief of the state's armed forces.
Indiana's current governor is Eric Holcomb. He was elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020. The position is limited to two terms – there are six Republicans candidates for the position on the May primary ballot.
The lieutenant governor is the second highest executive branch position. They also preside over the state senate, and cast deciding votes when required.
In addition to their duties with the state senate, the lieutenant governor has 26 other statutory duties, including serving as secretary of agriculture and rural development; overseeing the offices of tourism, defense development, and small business and entrepreneurship; and acting as chairperson for councils leading tourism, counterterrorism and security, and Main Street.
If for some reason the current governor is incapacitated, the lieutenant governor will become the acting governor. If the current governor dies or resigns from office, the lieutenant governor will become governor.
Indiana's current lieutenant governor is Suzanne Crouch. She was elected in 2016 was reelected in 2020.
The lieutenant governor is selected by the state's party convention, while the governor is chosen by voters in the May primary.
The secretary of state serves as Indiana's chief elections officer. In addition to that role, they are also responsible for chartering new business, regulating the securities industry, commissioning notaries public, registrating trademarks and licensing vehicle dealerships throughout Indiana.
Indiana's current Secretary of State Diego Morales was elected after upsetting incumbent Holli Sullivan to earn the GOP nomination for secretary of state for the 2022 election.
The state comptroller serves as Indiana's chief financial officer. They are responsible for accounting for all state funds; overseeing and disbursing county, city, town and school tax distributions; and paying state bills and state employees.
The auditor also acts as the plan administer for the Indiana Deferred Compensation Plan, the secretary for the Board of Finance, and is a member of the Board of Depositories.
Comptroller Elise Nieshalla was appointed to the position after Tera Klutz left the position to return to a career in the private sector.
The attorney general represents the State of Indiana in every lawsuit the state has an interest. They also provide the legal defense for state officials or agencies in court.
Additionally, the attorney general advises the governor, members of the state legislature, other state officials and county prosecutors on legal issues; gives formal legal advisory opinions on constitutional or legal questions at the request of designated public officials; and represents teachers in court in school discipline lawsuits where they were acting within their school policy.
They are also a member of the Law Enforcement Training Advisory Council, Criminal Justice Advisory Council, Code Revision Commission, Indiana Grain Indemnity and the Criminal Law Enforcement Board of Trustees.
Current Attorney General Todd Rokita was elected in 2020. He is up for reelection in 2024.
The state treasurer serves as Indiana's chief investment officer and banker. They are also member of several financial boards and commissions including the Board of Finance and the Indiana Finance Authority.
The treasurer is also the chairperson for Indiana Bond Bank, Wireless Enhanced 911 Board, and Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Savings Plan.
Current Treasurer Daniel Elliott was elected in 2022.
