(Music plays) >> Mike Pence and his presidential bid.

Todd Rokita is publicly reprimanded for professional misconduct.

Plus, mayoral races and more.

From the television studios at WFYI, it's Indiana Week In Review for the week ending November 3, 2023.

>> Indiana Week In Review is made possible by the supporters of Indiana Public Broadcasting stations.

>> This week, former Vice President and Indiana Governor Mike Pence officially ended his presidential campaign.

Coming the first major candidates in Republican primary to do so.

>> In announcing the end of his campaign, pets said "It's become clear to me, this is not my time."

He struggled to gain traction in national polls and raise money.

His campaign had raised just $1.8 million by October, compared to front runner Donald Trump, whose campaign boasts $37.5 million in cash on hand, according to the Associated Press.

Pence had not yet qualified for the third Republican primary debate scheduled for November 8.

>> With his exit from the presidential campaign, is there a political future for Mike Pence?

It's the first question for our Indiana Week In Review panel.

Democrat Elise Shrock.

Republican Jennifer Hallowell.

Oseye Boyd, editor-in-chief of Mayor Andy, and Indiana Dower, Indiana capital Chronicle.

I am Indiana Public Broadcasting digital editor Lauren Chapman, in for Brandon Smith.

Elise Shrock, is Mike Pence's political future over?

>> I just think the writing is a little bit on the ball.

He failed to gain traction early.

He did not announce his campaign in Indiana.

I think that said a lot from the beginning.

This is probably the best shot you are going to have.

If you are thinking 2028, the amount of groundwork you would have to make up for that in his own home state other congressional races, I don't see it happening.

>> Same question, Jennifer Hallowell, people have pointed back to January 6 at the moment Mike Pence it political career may have ended.

Do you think there is a political career for Mike Pence nationally or in Indiana?

>> I don't expect that we will see him on the ballot again, but I think he will continue to play a significant role in politics across the country.

I mean, he is vice president has built a lot of important relationships with Republicans and leaders all across the three.

I think there are a lot of ways for him to play a role in helping the party and look, I mean, I think this election cycle was always going to be really challenging but the fact that he got into it, I think is interesting and important all of itself.

I think we will continue to see him play a role.

>> Oseye, I'm curious, what about you?

>> I was wondering, do you think people will listen to him?

How Pence moves is not where the party seems to be right now.

He is kind of an old-school Republican, get down to do the work.

He does not have much personality, sorry.

(Laughter) He does not have much personality.

The people who are leaders in the party at this point do have.

Do you think people will still listen to him at this point?

>> See competing voices and a populist movement at this point pressure.

Number one, he certainly has a personality.

I have been around him and he is wonderful person and have a sense of humor that might not always be seen on stage.

I do think that he continues to play a role.

Like I said, he has relationships with organizations and significant leaders and of respect by them just because you may not go to the post presidential race, does not mean you don't have an important goal in the party and are well-regarded and have ways he can contribute.

>> I mean, Leslie, let's take this to you.

What do you think about Mike Pence future in the state of Indiana?

>> I will say that a significant portion of the Indiana house and Indiana Senate come in through caucus.

He could, if he so desired to seek a seat, I am pretty sure it would be a huge difficulty for if he wanted to make a local comeback, I feel like he certainly could.

The question is, what does he want to do?

>> It could be a little bit of anything.

>> Time for our viewer feedback.

Each week depose an unscientific, online poll question.

This week's question, what we see another political campaign for Mike Pence?

A, yes, B, no.

Last week's question.

Will the chaos around choosing a U.S. House speaker hurt Republicans in the 2024 elections?

77% of you said yes, 23% said no.

If you would like to take part, go to WFYI.org/IWIR and look for the poll.

In an opinion issued Thursday, Indiana Supreme Court says Attorney General Todd Rokita violated attorney professional conduct rules in his remarks about Doctor Caitlin Bernard.

He was publicly reprimanded by the court in order to pay $250 fine.

However, in a statement following the opinion, Rokita said he admitted to the misconduct to resolve the investigation.

>> The Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission investigation into Rokita was filed in September.

At the time, Rokita defended his remarks, which included calling Bernard and abortion activists acting as a doctor with history of failing to report.

No such history exists.

The state Supreme Court's opinion since Rokita signed a sworn affidavit, made under penalty of perjury, admitting to misconduct and acknowledged he could not successfully defend himself if the matter were tried.

But in a statement, Rokita said he signed the affidavit to save a lot of taxpayer money and distraction.

The Supreme Court agreed to a agreement, except chief justice, Loretta Rush Justice Christopher God.

They rejected the agreement believing the discipline to B2B unions, based on Rokita's position as Attorney General and the scope of the admitted misconduct.

>> Leslie, let's start with you.

You covered this yesterday.

In Rokita's nearly 700 word statement, he also called the disciplinary commission's investigation a campaign by "Cancel culture establishment."

Will be see any follow Rokita as a result of his response?

>> I don't anticipate any.

The deal is done.

He signed the affidavit.

The Supreme Court issued that opinion.

The only question is, we don't know what is in the confidential element.

If there are some parts of the agreement that he doesn't open up his end of the deal, we could see consequences.

That is not something that is publicly.

>> There is president for the Supreme Court to order an issue of cause for some to come back.

Because what he has done is very egregious.

To issue a statement like that on a public government website, after you have admitted fault, and that was the mitigating factor for the ruling.

>> Under threat of perjury admitting of shipment correct.

There is president in the Indiana Supreme Court for the order of cause to be issued.

It is not a new issue.

This is to go back and reconcile what has been done, given his incredibly egregious behavior, not to mention in the same report he again called Doctor Bernard and abortionist.

Attornment to attack her, which is the original thing he was in trouble for to begin with.

This is someone who always understands where the line is, and is willing to step over it.

That is dangerous.

>> Jennifer Hallowell, do you think there are consequences, even if the Supreme Court does not do anything, do you think are consequences for Todd Rokita even within the Republican Party?

>> I don't expect that there is any follow from that.

I think where there may be, and not insignificant, is if he, if there are issues that come before the state Supreme Court again, and partially because the Chief Justice rejecting the agreement I think sends a very interesting message.

All that being said, and they have not spoken to him about any of this, but I would assume that if he could go back, he would do it differently.

>> Oseye, getting around the point with it, it seems to me that we are kind of diametrically opposed.

Either Todd Rokita perjured himself to an Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission, or he broke a 700 word statement to Spain that admission of guilt.

-- to spend that admission of guilt.

Do you think their consorts is to Todd Rokita's actions?

>> I don't think the consequences necessarily.

Have there been consequences to his actions up until now?

I think Mr Rokita has planted to his base.

I think he is defiant to the point of, he knows what he is doing.

He is a smart man.

I think he is defiant because that is what people expect from him.

I was not surprised at all.

I was not surprised to get to the that they cross and kind of not.

This has been very interesting.

I think this is not over.

It is kind of strange to me that we are still dealing with this all this time.

It has been a very interesting thing today his heels into.

>> This is the second Republican Attorney General that we have seen before disciplinary court.

>> Yes.

>> Will there be consequences?

We have seen it before.

>> I mean, Oseye, just to finish your point, for 2024, do you think, is a more important for Rokita to play to his base, or for him to perhaps play within the constraints of the larger Republican Party?

>> I don't know.

(Laughs) I think he will probably do what he has been doing.

It is working for him.

I can see doing this.

I don't see any repercussions from his actions.

>>, just to come back for a second, kind of going back to Alisa's point!

The lease point.

-- went back to Lisa's point, we have seen the Attorney General put before the primary commission for the Supreme Court, does that affect trust in voters with Republicans at the helm of the attorney general's office?

>> I think that is why we have elections.

If there consequences, they come through elections, both primary elections, pensions, and in general elections.

That is all to be determined right now.

>> Makes sense.

Moving on a former president Donald Trump endorsed US Senator Mike Braun in his bid to become Indiana governor.

Broadhead endorsed Trump in his presidential campaign back in September.

>> Fixes a credit Republican primary for Indiana governor in 2024.

With Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, former Indiana Secretary of commerce Brad Chambers, former Attorney General Curtis Hill, and Fort Wayne businessman, Eric Doden.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Braun had his complete and total endorsement.

It statement, Braun thanked Trump and said he was incredibly helpful defeating Democratic Joe Donnelly for his Senate seat in 2018.

>> Jennifer Hallowell, given Trump's 2020 election performance it Indiana, will this endorsement set Braun up in a crowded field?

>> I want to start by acknowledging that I am on red Chambers team.

>> Oh, OK, yes!

>> That being said, I think most people expected President Trump would endorse Senator Braun as he did when he for U.S. Senate in 2018.

Certainly, President Trump has a lot of support publicans, so not surprised that Senator Braun will these jobs endorsement.

I am sure it touted strongly against the course of the campaign.

For the other candidates, we can point to cases where endorsements translate and in some cases where they don't.

You have got six months, and everyone has to run the race.

>> I was about to say, does this endorsement so early in the process, does not mitigate the Trump effect for Braun?

>> I think it answers the question right away.

If anybody was sitting wondering if this would happen, and what the impact would be, it has not happened.

Six months to run a campaign.

>> It is also probably good to get into bed before you have been from someone who is possibly charged with multiple felonies.

It is going to be interesting to see if this moment of time, sure, I think it helps.

We have seen the polling and the effects of Trump in our state.

How does that look over time?

I think that is what we are going to have to look at.

A lot can happen.

To your point, a lot can happen in six months.

It is a crowded field.

We have incumbents running.

We have newcomers.

We have business folks.

This is going to say a lot, this particular race, and then we will see who the Democrats put forward to challenge once we get through that primary.

>> Leslie, kind of running to the same question, does Trump help set Braun apartment in this crowded race?

Frankly, most of the candidates have pretty decent recognition for the gubernatorial race.

>> I think it certainly does.

A lot of that either of course bleeding on the business credentials or social conservatism.

You know, nobody from Trump himself certainly is something nobody else is going to have.

>> I think it definitely adds excitement.

It gives us something to talk about.

To Lisa and Jennifer's point, we still have a lot of time left.

We don't know what is going to happen with court cases and was going to happen with the candidates.

It is one of those things where everyone is like " "Trump has supported him now so we can move forward!"

It goes against his base, a little bit like advertising and our candidate is important, he has made it, he is the one.

We still have a long time to go.

We shall see.

>> Shall certainly see.

Don't forget!

Indiana municipal elections next Tuesday and early voting is already open.

So go vote!

In addition to 11 school districts asking for referenda funding, several cities have tight mayoral races in the work stopped publicans currently hold the most mayoral seats in the parties history, but could these races shake out gains for local Democrats?

>> In Evansville, both Democratic and Republican candidates for mayor are women fighting to become the first woman mayor Teddy.

The race is neck-and-neck, logically declared between the tossup between Democrat Stephanie Terry and Republican Natalie Rascher.

Caramels race for Mayor has caught the attention of national news Democrat Miles Nelson tries to turn the fast-growing Indianapolis upper blue.

He bases Republican Sue Finkman as the endorsement of outgoing seven term, Mayor Jim Brainard.

Fort Wayne's mayoral race is a face-off between Republican and twenty-year city Council veteran Tom Didier Democrat incumbent Tom Henry who is running for his fifth term leaving the city.

And in Indianapolis, Democrat incumbent Joe Hogsett is ready for his third term as mayor against Republican challenger Jefferson Street.

What polling neither candidate has one Indianapolis voters on crime.

>> Oseye, these races say anything broadly about Indiana as a whole?

Should >> I think they definitely say Indiana is mild.

We often hear that Hoosiers all think the same.

We definitely do not think the same.

I find it really interesting that in 2023, Evansville could have the first woman mayor.

It is one of those things where I saw and was thinking "Really?"

I was thinking about Indianapolis.

Have we ever had a female mayor?

It is 2023!

(Laughs) What is going on there?

Again all of the cities, we don't think the same, the issues are what's driving people to vote as well.

The issues that are important to one city, we cannot say what happens Indianapolis is important in Evansville which is often the case at the Statehouse.

We all think the same.

We definitely feel as though these candidates are like no, we don't all think the same.

Whether we have a publican strong code Democrat strong code, that will be found out Tuesday.

>> Leslie, even talking about the money that has been put into these races, I don't the total off the top of my head for Indianapolis, but I neglect Evansville has been getting a lot of support even from Indianapolis, set to that race.

What does it say about some of these races that we are getting this influx of money for these local races?

>> It is really interesting.

The total for the example are getting up there.

It even break records.

I think is really interesting that people are willing to invest so much in local races because we're kind of expecting turn out to be low.

People talk about this election year as it is a municipal gear.

For many people, it is not happening.

I really think those totals are even more staggering in comparison to how it is viewed.

>> Elise, Carmel has been making some national waves because of the money that is - going in.

It seems that Carmel is being held up as a bellwether, which we know the title belongs to Terre Haute.

Carpal seems to be whether Democrats can pick up significant weight and be a bellwether for 2024.

What are Democrats looking across the entire state?

>> Sure, but I hope that all is not just a bellwether.

I hope it is a template for our party as a whole.

They have been knocking doors every single night and doing the work and doing it by leading on each other and building a community by building a strong infrastructure in Hamilton County which would be what we did to infiltrate that type of historical stronghold.

I think we are going to see some success obviously with Miles Nelson, but I think especially exciting thing for me is to see some of those other races in Carmel.

See Sarah Draper winning, to see a number of other women and others on the ballot who are going to set up only be a bellwether for County and the rest of the state, but also really set a great template under the Democratic County chair Danna Kohlberg there.

>> Jennifer, is there concern for publicans losing ground with some of these local elections?

What are the reasons why publicans have such a deep bench politically is because Republicans do dominate a lot of local elections.

>> It certainly was not always the case.

So it might in many ways here today, but 20 years ago, I ran a city mayors race program from the state publican party where we focused on 1570s and flipped I think it was 11 from Democrat to Republican.

Back in 2003, the split between Democrat and were publican mayors across the state was very different than it is now.

I like to think that is what started this title VIII that Republicans now have more than they ever have.

Republicans have more seats than they ever had.

It is not likely that we maintain that.

I think that the pendulum swings and local races are really about a lot of different things and much harder to predict.

Sometimes the party label is not necessarily what is driving people.

Candidates matter a lot.

The environment matters a lot, and turn out, is just with the harder to predict is different than the kinds of races.

That I would say out of the gate, I do think it is exciting we have enough candidates likes to think of -- like Sue Finkman.

Essays are competitive.

We seeing that more and more.

-- the cities are competitive.

We are seeing that more and more.

That is good.

We have seen already in absentee and early vote, is that the turnout is upright dramatically from what it was four years ago.

Competitive races do drive people out, and I think that is good.

We do have a full vetting of the issues and factors.

I think it is exciting.

>> Races are good for democracy.

>> I think Republicans will do very well, but we are already at a historic high.

I think it is hard to stop >> It is harder when you are at the top to go down.

>> Everybody needs to book, especially the Republicans.

>> Even talking about these competitive municipal elections, do we think that any of this competition translates into voter turnout for 2024, or how things will shake out for Democrats in publicans in 2024 in Indiana?

>> I mean I think the fact that when you zero in these individual communities, when you are looking at Indiana, we are not harmless.

We have a lot of diversity.

We have a booming Latino population in our state.

I think that speaks to why our statewide elections should not be she wins Republicans.

-- shoe-ins for publicans.

We look at these local areas and full breadth of our state, we have a voter turnout problem, but it is not necessarily that we are as deep bread has anything.

It is on party infrastructure and it is on other organizations to build something that can lift that up.

I think if we take the lessons that we learn from these municipals and apply that, it could be very helpful as we move into the next cycle, but we are going to have to take have to look at the infrastructure and not have a scarcity mindset in doing so.

>> Any final thoughts on the 2024 election if these are the tea leaves?

>> I think it helps.

You are building, the reason we did what we did in 2003 is because we were trying to build a team going into the 2,000 butters race when beach ended up getting there.

Because of the work we did, we had motivated people up there.

>> Finally, let's take those protections for the Indian & caramel races.

I believe we have already kind of heard them.

Yeah, who do you expect to wait in Indianapolis and Carmel?

>> I would say for sure Indianapolis, Carmel, I am not so sure, Sue.

>> Leslie, what are your productions?

>> I would agree with that.

I know there are a lot of money being spent on these races, but I would also predict upset and probably see you as well.

That just seems how the cards may be falling.

>> We cannot predict Marion County.

Elected mayor of Florence.

>> We cannot forget about Lawrence.

That is Indiana Week In Review for this week.

Our panel is Democrat Elise Shrock, Republican Jennifer Hallowell, Oseye Boyd, editor and chief of Mirror ND.

Leslie Bonilla is of the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

You can find Indiana Week In Review's podcast and WFYI.org/IWIR or on the PBS App.

I am Lauren Chapman of Indiana Public Broadcasting.

Join us next on, because a lot can happen in Indiana week.

(Music plays) >> The opinions expressed are solely those of the panelists.

Indiana Week In Review was a WFYI production in association with