Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election to the Senate’s top leadership post when Republicans choose a new leader in November, ending an eight-year tenure at the head of the chamber.

In a statement issued by his office, Bray said he made the decision to protect members of his caucus from primary challenges. The statement cited “promises to recruit and fund primary challengers for any senator who supports Bray’s bid to remain the leader of the Senate,” and said Bray “will not put members in jeopardy from their own party simply because he is asking members to support his re-election as Pro Tem.”

The statement did not identify who made those promises.

“Serving as the President Pro Tem of the Senate for eight years has been among the most significant honors of my life, but it’s time for the Senate to choose another leader,” Bray said. He cited more than 20 tax cuts, health care cost measures and increases in student literacy rates during his tenure.

Bray will remain president pro tem and manage day-to-day operations of the Senate until a successor is elected in November, according to the statement. He will continue to serve Senate District 37, which includes Morgan County and portions of Johnson, Owen and Putnam counties.

Bray was first elected president pro tem in 2018, succeeding David Long, who retired from the Senate. He has represented District 37 since 2012.

Background

Bray’s leadership has been in question since December, when seven Senate Republicans voted against a mid-decade redrawing of Indiana’s congressional maps sought by President Donald Trump.

All seven drew Trump-endorsed primary challengers in the May primary. Outside groups spent roughly $13 million on Indiana legislative races, according to AdImpact. Federal disclosures show Gaylor Electric contributed $300,000 to American Leadership PAC, one of the groups active in the races. Gaylor Electric is run by Chuck Goodrich, whom Gov. Mike Braun appointed secretary of commerce in July. Braun’s HOPE PAC contributed $750,000.

Five of the seven senators who voted against redistricting lost their primaries, including Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle reported in April that a pledge to oppose Bray’s re-election as pro tem was a condition of receiving Trump’s endorsement in several of the races. Owen County Republican Chair Kristi Risk told the outlet she declined to make the commitment and did not receive the endorsement.

Braun called for a change in Senate leadership days after the primary, telling reporters at the Statehouse that the Senate had been a “roadblock” on some issues and saying in a WIBC interview that he was calling for a leadership change.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, resigned his leadership post in June following a split with Bray. Garten did not publicly detail his reasons at the time.

Bray told the Indiana Capital Chronicle in June that he intended to seek another term as pro tem and expected challengers, as he has in past leadership elections.

What’s next

Senate Republicans will hold a 40-10 majority, but at least nine current GOP senators will not return for the 2027 session because of retirements or primary defeats.

The Senate selects a president pro tem every two years in November. No candidate had publicly announced a bid as of Friday afternoon. The caucus is not expected to vote until after the November general election.

The new leader will preside over a budget session beginning in January. Several legislators have said they expect the congressional redistricting question to return during that session.