Sen. Young of Indiana takes over Senate Candy Desk, supplies Hoosier candies

Deanna Watson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

U.S. Sen. Todd Young has a sweet new leadership role.

The Indiana Republican recently became the new occupant of the Senate's "candy desk," a tradition since the 1960s.

The senator who sits at that desk provides sweets from his or her home state. Any senator can sample the sweets, regardless of party affiliation, according to a news release.

It's a particular desk, situated on the Republican side of the Senate Chamber, on the aisle, in the last row. The desk, the release stated, is near the chamber's most frequented entrance.

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) is offering his colleagues Hoosier sweets as the new occupant of the Senate's "candy desk." The desk is a Senate tradition since the 1960s, and the senator who sits at the desk is responsible for ensuring it is stocked with sweets from the senator's home state.
U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) is offering his colleagues Hoosier sweets as the new occupant of the Senate's "candy desk." The desk is a Senate tradition since the 1960s, and the senator who sits at the desk is responsible for ensuring it is stocked with sweets from the senator's home state.

Young vowed to offer a variety of Hoosier-based sweets ranging from New Albany sour candy, mini chocolate bars from Indianapolis and Red Hots from Jeffersonville.

“Candy manufacturers across Indiana are producing amazing treats, and my goal is to spotlight these unique products made and distributed by Hoosiers,” said Young, in the news release. “The candy desk is a popular destination for senators from both sides of the aisle, and I’m excited to share Hoosier candies with my colleagues. Perhaps a taste of Hoosier hospitality will sweeten the sometimes bitter divide in Washington.”

Young took over the role from Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, assigned the desk from 2015-2023.

Young, who is from Johnson County, Indiana, becomes only the second Hoosier to occupy the desk. Sen. Richard Lugar claimed the "candy desk" from 1977-1979, according to the release from the senator's office.

Kraft caramels from Kendallville, Indiana, will be featured in the Senate's candy desk, thanks to Sen. Todd Young of Indiana becoming the new occupant of the desk situated on the last row of the Republican side of the Senate Chamber. In this file photo from Kraft, caramel vanilla cubes come in handy when making caramel apples in the fall.
Kraft caramels from Kendallville, Indiana, will be featured in the Senate's candy desk, thanks to Sen. Todd Young of Indiana becoming the new occupant of the desk situated on the last row of the Republican side of the Senate Chamber. In this file photo from Kraft, caramel vanilla cubes come in handy when making caramel apples in the fall.

Among the Hoosier-based candies to be featured in the desk include:

∎ Albanese Confectionery Group, Merrillville, assorted gummi products

∎ DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Fort Wayne, chocolate bars

∎ Schimpff’s Confectionary, Jeffersonville, Red Hots

∎ New Albany Sugar Shoppe, New Albany, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy

∎ The Sweet Tooth, Munster, Sour Punch Straws

∎ Kraft, Kendallville, caramels

∎ Wakarusa Dime Store, Wakarusa, Jumbo jelly beans/chocolate covered jelly beans

∎ Mr. Fudge's Confectionary, Metamora, buckeyes

∎ Endangered Species Chocolate, Indianapolis, mini chocolate bars

∎ Squire Boone Village, New Albany, Rock Crystal Candy Sticks

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Sen. Young of Indiana takes over Senate Candy Desk