INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana House Republicans are protecting vulnerable incumbents throughout the state this election year as they look to protect the powerful supermajority they won two years ago.

Republicans enjoy a clear fundraising advantage over Democrats and benefit from favorable districts they drew in 2011. But Democrats and teachers unions have targeted a handful of races in areas including northwestern Indiana and along the Ohio River.

Democrats must add at least three seats to the 31 they control in the House to break the GOP's supermajority. The Republican supermajority effectively prevents walkouts like the five weeks in 2011 when Indiana Democrats left the state to block education and labor bills.

In some of the toughest races, Republicans have changed their messages this year to argue they support public schools.