FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Indiana Governor Mike Braun joined Fort Wayne’s Morning News Thursday with Kayla Blakeslee to discuss a wide range of topics, from public safety and candidate filings to his priorities for the upcoming State of the State address.

Public Safety Achievements

The conversation opened with recent data from the Indiana State Police, which showed significant gains in law enforcement efforts throughout 2025. The numbers included:

• Seizures: More than 1,300 pounds of cocaine and over 80 pounds of opioids, up 117% from the previous year

• Overdose deaths: Dropped approximately 60% statewide

• OWI arrests: Increased 17%

• Fatal crashes: Fell roughly 8%

Governor Braun credited these improvements to leadership and strategic investment.

“Our superintendent of state police, Anthony Scott, and his team, including Chris Hill, have done an unbelievable job,” Braun said. “When I reorganized state government, I made public safety a cabinet-level focus and gave them the latitude to use all our resources. Paying state police what they deserve compared to other states has made a real difference.”

He noted the broader impact of national efforts to secure the U.S. border, saying Indiana’s position as a logistics hub previously made it a transit point for cartel activity. With those routes curtailed, local law enforcement has been able to focus more effectively on public safety.

“Sealing the border has been such a gift to Americans in terms of law enforcement and public safety. That’s a big reason why overdose deaths have dropped 60% in one year—think of all the families that impacts,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2026, Braun said state resources will continue focusing on emerging public safety challenges while building on current successes.

Budget Outlook and Resource Allocation

Braun also addressed Indiana’s budget outlook, noting that concerns about deficits due to tariffs have eased.

“When we open the budget again in ’27, we’re going to be in excellent shape to reinvest in public health, education, infrastructure—the whole gamut,” Braun said. He added that efficient management by cabinet secretaries has allowed the state to both lower taxes and reinvest in programs with a strong return on investment.

Candidate Filings and Political Landscape

The discussion then turned to politics, with Braun commenting on early activity for the May primaries. He noted a coordinated filing by 22 Democrats in rural districts but suggested that their platform may not resonate in Indiana.

“If you’re running as a Democrat here, you’re buying into policies like those of Jasmine Crockett or AOC. More government, more borrowing and spending, and wokeism is not going to be a platform that works in Indiana,” he said. Braun cautioned Republicans not to take their position for granted and encouraged a focus on policies that directly impact constituents’ daily lives.

Preview of the State of the State Address

Looking ahead to his State of the State address on January 14, Braun shared some of the priorities he plans to highlight:

• Public Safety: Building on the 2025 gains

• Education: K-12 and post-secondary, including frozen tuition at public universities

• Healthcare: Medicaid reform and cost control

• Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and utilities

• Utility Rates: Ensuring ratepayer sensitivity with new I.U.R.C. board members

“We’re going to talk about all of these areas and more,” Braun said. “Indiana has a lot to be proud of, and there’s more work to do to make life better for families across the state.”