by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, Esq.
Allow me to combine two of my favorite worlds: politics and total geekdom.
I’ve always loved Star Wars, but I have to be honest—I never identified with the scrappy rebel types living in caves, making speeches, and hoping for the best. I’m more of a benevolent Empire kind of guy. I don’t need Death Stars or stormtroopers banging on doors, but I do like order. Discipline. Clear chains of command. A governing structure where people know who’s in charge—and get things done.
Which brings us to Indiana politics in 2025. If you squint, it’s starting to look like our own version of galactic governance. We’ve got our Emperor, our moody generals, our rogue crusaders, and yes—even the occasional Jedi trying to keep things balanced. But let’s not pretend this is some grand rebellion. It’s an Empire now. The only question is: is it the good kind?
Governor Mike Braun certainly thinks so. Since stepping into office, Braun has run the state with the decisiveness of a businessman who believes government should work like a business—and not one with a suggestion box. From freezing funding to economic development agencies under review, to kicking off audits, reining in university boards, and issuing a flurry of executive orders faster than you can say “midichlorians,” Braun is bent on cleanups. Some appreciate this as fiscal discipline; others see a micromanager in a cape.
And then there’s Attorney General Todd Rokita—our very own enforcer-in-chief. Rokita’s legal battles and ethics controversies have been as loud as his public rhetoric. Whether you see him as a defender of conservative values or just defending Todd, he’s at the center of every political firefight. His tough-guy persona might thrill his supporters, but it often feels more Darth Vader than Bail Organa.
Secretary of State Diego Morales is not the worst villain in Indiana government. He’s not smart enough to be a true antagonist. He’s not a puppet master, a policy wonk, or a strategic threat. He’s something more insidious: a mascot for mediocrity. A walking, talking reminder that sometimes the most dangerous thing in politics isn’t corruption or ideology — it’s the absolute absence of standards. Morales is our Jar Jar Binks — bouncing through ‘da 92 countieees,’ stretching the truth on his resume, and standing on tiptoes to make his record look bigger than it really is. Mesa no like.
And what of Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith? Plucked from convention despite not being Braun’s choice, Beckwith thinks his job is equal parts policy and pulpit. From waging a culture war on “wokeness” to railing against DEI offices, his crusade feels powered less by a policy agenda and more by a feed of Facebook and “X” outrage. If he had a lightsaber, its blade would probably light up like his social media notifications.
Together, these three are less about evil emperors and more like theatrical stormtroopers on Imperial TikTok — loud, confident, and utterly convinced they’re saving the Republic, even if they rarely check the fine print of the Constitution.
And the opposition? Frozen in carbonite. Indiana Democrats seem perpetually trapped — their once-formidable machine sputtering into silence after years of scandal and strategic missteps. Save for a few strong voices like Senator Andrea Hunley, they’re quieter than a Jedi after Order 66.
As for the General Assembly? Think of it as an obedient garrison. Orders come from above, votes are tallied, and dissent rarely survives committee. Some call it unity. Others call it submission. Either way, it’s not exactly fertile ground for spirited debate.
Here’s the rub: empires, when benevolent, can be efficient. They can restore order, deliver results, and hold people accountable. The problem is what happens when benevolence gives way to arrogance — when discipline feels more like tyranny and the only plan is “trust me.” That’s the tightrope Indiana’s leadership is walking right now.
I’m not against strong government. I want one guided by wisdom, not ego. I want results without retribution. Policy without personality cults. And if we’re going to cosplay as an Empire, let’s aim to build starships—not echo chambers.
The Force is strong in Indiana. But if leadership can’t keep it balanced and humble, don’t be surprised when someone hands out blueprints for a rebellion and starts looking for the exhaust port on that Death Star.
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz is a total geek and the editor and publisher of Indy Politics.
