Chris Garten
Candidate for State Senator, 45th District
Background
- Occupation
- State senator
- Lives in
- Charlestown
State senator for District 45 since 2018, whom Senate Republicans endorsed in August 2026 as their pick for the next Senate president pro tempore. He is a Marine Corps Reserve veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq.
Photo: Indiana General Assembly
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Co-authored the 2025 property tax overhaul, Senate Enrolled Act 1.In office
Senate Bill 1 (2025), authored by Sen. Travis Holdman with Garten as second author, changed homestead deductions and added property tax credits; it became Public Law 68 of 2025.
ReportSenate Bill 1: Local government finance (2025 session), introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Provides a maximum property tax liability credit for all taxable real property.”
Senate Bill 1: Local government finance (2025 session): bill pageGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Public safety
Sponsored the 2026 law requiring hostile-nation agents to register.In office
Senate Bill 256 (2026) became Public Law 131 of 2026.
ReportSenate Bill 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries (2026 session), introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Requires certain persons acting on behalf of a hostile foreign country to register with the attorney general.”
Senate Bill 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries (2026 session): bill pageGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Economy & jobs
Sponsored blocking utility rate hikes tied to data centers.In office
Senate Bill 257 (2026) covers increases related solely to serving data centers or large facilities with fewer than 50 employees; it did not advance.
ReportSenate Bill 257: Electricity rate increases due to data centers (2026 session), introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“the Indiana utility regulatory commission may not approve an increase in the rates and charges of an electric utility”
Health & human services
Sponsored the 2026 law tightening SNAP and Medicaid eligibility.In office
Senate Bill 1 (2026), the Senate Republicans' top priority, bars benefits for immigrants without legal status and ends expanded SNAP eligibility; it became Public Law 63 of 2026.
ReportGarten to prioritize preventing welfare fraud, increasing national security and protecting ratepayers during 2026 legislative sessionPublic statement · Indiana Senate Republicans · Jan 12, 2026 · indianasenaterepublicans.com
“strictly prohibiting Medicaid and SNAP benefits for illegal immigrants”
Senate Bill 1: Human services matters (2026 session), introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Terminates the state's participation in the use of expanded categorical eligibility within the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).”
Senate Bill 1: Human services matters (2026 session): bill pageGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Government & transparency
Co-authored the 2026 law banning ranked-choice voting.In office
Senate Bill 12 (2026); Garten is its second-listed author. It became Public Law 5 of 2026.
ReportSenate Bill 12: Prohibition of ranked choice voting (2026 session), introduced versionGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
“Prohibits the use of ranked choice voting.”
Senate Bill 12: Prohibition of ranked choice voting (2026 session): bill pageGovernment record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Chris Garten on them.
- EducationNo documented position found.
All sources (16)
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Clark County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (Floyd County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Senator Chris Garten: member page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Chris Garten, State Senator - District 45
Government record · Indiana Senate Republicans · indianasenaterepublicans.com
- Senate Republican Caucus endorses Garten for Pro Tem
Public statement · Indiana Senate Republicans · Aug 18, 2026 · indianasenaterepublicans.com
- Garten to prioritize preventing welfare fraud, increasing national security and protecting ratepayers during 2026 legislative session
Public statement · Indiana Senate Republicans · Jan 12, 2026 · indianasenaterepublicans.com
- Senate Bill 1: Human services matters (2026 session), introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 1: Human services matters (2026 session): bill page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries (2026 session), introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 256: Foreign agent registration, foreign terrorist organizations, and foreign adversaries (2026 session): bill page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 257: Electricity rate increases due to data centers (2026 session), introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 12: Prohibition of ranked choice voting (2026 session), introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 12: Prohibition of ranked choice voting (2026 session): bill page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 1: Local government finance (2025 session), introduced version
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
- Senate Bill 1: Local government finance (2025 session): bill page
Government record · Indiana General Assembly · iga.in.gov
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.