Behind the BMV head's departure | Indy Dems rethink future

After the former BMV commissioner Peter Lacy suddenly resigned last month, there was no announcement. No explanation.

So IndyStar started digging and found that Lacy's sudden resignation came one day after he appeared intoxicated during an executive meeting, slurring his words, acting confused and making an off-color comment.

Current and former staffers told IndyStar it was just the latest in a long list of inappropriate behavior that created a toxic environment for employees at the BMV's central office, especially women.

After his departure, he was poised for a soft landing as the head of Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles. The same day the IndyStar report was published, however, Virginia rescinded its job offer.

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Death to slating?

No one in political power in Indianapolis seemed to want to make straightforward statements on slating until after this year's primary elections, when four Democrats beat out the party-endorsed candidate.

Now that the results are in, though, Mayor Joe Hogsett has called for an end to the process, by which the party chooses which candidate to endorse and throw money at in the primary. Congressman Andre Carson, too, said party members should take a vote on whether to discontinue the practice.

Perhaps this is the beginning of the end?

Briggs: Pence is making case against Mears difficult

Republicans' biggest case against Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears in the upcoming election is his office's handling of a red flag case that resulted in the worst mass shooting in Indianapolis history.

But IndyStar columnist James Briggs wrote that former Vice President Mike Pence and some other Republicans are complicating that argument. Pence’s political advocacy group is now urging Republicans to oppose the passage of red flag laws.

Houchin gets help from crypto CEO

Former Sen. Erin Houchin won her 9th Congressional District race after getting some help from a super political action committee financed by a cryptocurrency CEO, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. It's part of $20 million spent so far by industry executives this year on federal races.

“All you can do is hold your breath,” Cam Savage, Houchin’s consultant told the AP. “It could help you, but the fear is it will end you.”

How Indiana senators voted on abortion

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a bill this week that would have solidified the right to an abortion across the country, after a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade leaked.

Every Republican including Indiana Sens. Mike Braun and Todd Young voted against the measure.

State Libertarians and Democrats team up

The Democrats are trying another new tactic to get some attention in a state where Republicans dominate politics: town halls featuring Democrats and Libertarians.

Democrats say they're holding these town hall because, it's "imperative for voters to hear from all major political parties," and that's why they invited Republicans and Libertarians to participate. Republicans declined.

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Hoosier Politics is compiled and written by the IndyStar politics and government team. Send us tips or let us know what you think of the newsletter by emailing Kaitlin.Lange@IndyStar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Behind the BMV head's departure | Indy Dems rethink future