Huston loses Indiana House seat to Cole

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston lost his seat in the state legislature on Tuesday. Democrat Lauren Cole defeated the incumbent, ending Huston’s tenure in the chamber. Huston will relinquish his position as Speaker when the new legislative session begins in January.

Huston has represented Hamilton County for 12 years. He resides in the district he served. Cole’s victory forces a leadership change in the Indiana House.

Huston issued a statement on Wednesday morning regarding the election results. He acknowledged the difficulty of the midterm cycle. “This was an incredibly challenging midterm election and ultimately the national headwinds were too difficult to overcome in a number of our races,” Huston said. He expressed pride in his team and the candidates who campaigned in their communities.

The statement also detailed Huston’s view of his legislative record. He cited economic growth, job creation, and tax reductions as key achievements. “While I’m disappointed by the results, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in Indiana to grow our economy, bring good-paying jobs to our state, lower taxes and create thriving communities where people want to live, work, start a business and raise their family,” he wrote.

Huston concluded his statement by reflecting on his time in office. He described serving residents in Hamilton County and across the state as the honor of his life. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and for the work accomplished during his 12-year career.

The next step in the process is the formal transition of power in January. Cole will take her seat in the House. Huston will exit the chamber after 12 years of service.