Beyond the Bio: Indiana Sen. Brandt Hershman

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Elected to the Indiana State Senate in 2000, Indiana Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, has played a principal role in shaping Indiana government for the better part of two decades. As current Senate majority leader and chair of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, Hershman helps develop the legislative and communications strategy for Indiana Senate Republicans and for the Senate itself.

Hershman joins Faegre Baker Daniels Partner Chip Garver for the inaugural episode of Beyond the Bio, a new podcast from FaegreBD’s Indiana government advocacy and consulting practice. In this episode, Hershman discusses his background and the legislative priorities that drive his wide-ranging work in Indiana state government. He was inspired to run for office in 2000 after spending time as a writer in the Bush I White House. A conversation during an afternoon drive (through his now-district) with his wife helped Hershman realize he had spent his career-to-date advising, but was ready to put his hat in the ring to lead.

Hershman says he enjoys “big, complicated issues,” and through his involvement in both party leadership and on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee, he takes on an encompassing policy portfolio. He highlights his particular interest in two issues — telecommunications policy and tax and fiscal policy — and says his top priority is to give Indiana a chance to bring in every dollar invested in the U.S., making the state more economically competitive. He also shares his perspective on his nationally recognized tax-incentive review initiative and his efforts to “get rid of outmoded or ineffective tax credits,” explaining that oftentimes tax credit programs are established and never revisited — a process he has tried to change in Indiana. This effort has allowed him to highlight Indiana success stories on a national scale. Among the many legislative items Hershman has tackled, FaegreBD has worked with him on issues including tax policy, public safety answering points (PASPs) and prescription drug regulation.

Hershman also spends time talking with Chip about his personal interests. For example, he and his wife, Lisa, are proud owners of “250 pounds of Rottweiler” they brought home from a no-kill shelter. Hershman also shares his definition of the word “Hoosier,” relating it to the work ethic he’s seen in Indiana residents.

Listen for insight into the life of an Indiana state representative, and stay tuned for more from Beyond the Bio.

Beyond the Bio is a podcast hosted by Faegre Baker Daniels’ Indiana government team. The podcast gives listeners a glimpse into aspects of Indiana state legislators’ lives — What’s life like in their district? What brought them to state government? And what do they do when not casting votes in the Indiana Statehouse? — that don’t appear on their official biography.

Note: The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views of Faegre Baker Daniels or our clients.