Who is running for State Senate District 45 in Indiana in 2026?

Nick Marshall (D), Chris Garten (R), Larry Mahaney (Lib)

When is the Indiana 2026 general election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Indiana › Races › State Senate District 45

State Senate District 45 — Indiana 2026

3 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot (official Indiana Election Division list, as of October 22, 2026). Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

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Candidates

FNick MarshallDemocratic

Candidate for State Senator, District 45 (Democratic).

LifeFFamilyDReligious libertyD2nd AmendmentFLimited gov’tDFiscalD

Endorsed by Indiana Reproductive Freedom PAC and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana (2026); named a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (2026) and rated F by NRA-PVF; rated Liberal by iVoterGuide.

Life: Endorsed by Indiana Reproductive Freedom PAC and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana (2026), signaling support for abortion access.
Family: No specific positions found; abortion-rights endorsements and iVoterGuide's Liberal rating suggest opposition to the conservative parental-rights and gender-policy agenda.
Religious liberty: Rated Liberal by iVoterGuide; no specific religious-liberty position found.
2nd Amendment: Named a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate (2026); rated F by NRA-PVF.
Limited gov’t: No school-choice or regulatory positions found; Liberal rating and Democratic platform suggest opposition to voucher expansion.
Fiscal: No tax or spending positions found; Democratic platform alignment suggested.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Ballotpedia

AChris GartenRepublican

Incumbent Republican state senator, District 45.

LifeAFamilyAReligious libertyB2nd AmendmentALimited gov’tAFiscalA

Voted yes on SB 1 (2022) abortion ban, permitless carry, girls' sports, SB 480, HB 1608, the 2023 school-choice budget and SB 1 (2025); IRTL- and NRA-endorsed (A); IFI 2026 score 71% with several missed votes.

Life: Voted yes on SB 1 (2022) abortion ban at both Senate votes; endorsed by Indiana Right to Life PAC (2026); excused on SB 236 (2026).
Family: Voted yes on HB 1041 (2022) and its veto override, SB 480 (2023) and HB 1608 (2023).
Religious liberty: IFI 2026 score 71%: did not vote on HB 1389 (religious liberty in adoption/foster care) and was excused on two items; rated Leans Conservative by iVoterGuide.
2nd Amendment: Voted yes on HB 1296 (2022) permitless carry; NRA-PVF grade A with endorsement.
Limited gov’t: Voted yes on HB 1001 (2023) budget with near-universal school-choice expansion, and with IFI on SB 76 (immigration) in 2026.
Fiscal: Voted yes on SB 1 (2025) property-tax relief at both Senate readings.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Ballotpedia

N/RLarry MahaneyLibertarian

Candidate for State Senator, District 45 (Libertarian).

Not rated: no positions, endorsements or ratings found (iVoterGuide lists insufficient information).

Sources: [1]

Ballotpedia

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