📍 By Abdul-Hakim Shabazz
Another chapter in the Indiana Republican civil war just landed in Marion Superior Court.
Filed by Marion County delegate and former House candidate Joseph Bortka, the new lawsuit targets the Indiana Republican State Committee, former convention chairs Ed Simcox and Randy Head, and alleges they hijacked the party’s biennial convention by neutering the rights of grassroots delegates.
According to the suit, Bortka claims the state party leadership suppressed platform and rule motions, ignored Robert’s Rules of Order, and refused to allow appeals on key rulings. His ask? Declaratory relief, access to party records, and a court order reinforcing that the convention—not the state committee—is the ultimate authority.
On paper, it’s dressed up as a derivative action—meaning Bortka says he’s suing on behalf of the party itself, because its leaders have breached their fiduciary duties. He even filed multiple notarized exhibits, letters to the party secretary, and complaints about alleged procedural violations dating back to 2022.
But legally? This case has about as much chance as Micah Beckwith being named Grand Marshal of next year’s Pride Parade—so, basically zip.
Courts in Indiana are generally loath to wade into intra-party beefs unless clear contractual or property rights are on the line. And while Bortka argues that delegate rights and records access are contractual, his complaint is—frankly—trying to push a car uphill with a rope.
And then there’s the statute of limitations problem: much of what Bortka is complaining about happened during the 2022 convention, which was more than two years ago. That puts key claims like breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud, and ultra vires actions in serious jeopardy under Indiana’s two-year filing deadline. Even if the judge is sympathetic, the clock may have already run out.
The law just isn’t on his side. Unless he can convince a judge that this is about enforceable procedural rights and not just a philosophical turf war, expect a swift motion to dismiss from the state party. And with the Republican establishment sure to invoke the First Amendment’s protection of internal party governance, this thing might not even make it past the courthouse lobby.
Still, the suit’s real power might be political, not legal. It hands disaffected grassroots activists another symbol of establishment overreach and airs out internal drama in public. That might help explain some of the names attached to the case—including John Schmitz, who hasn’t won an election since fax machines were a thing, and Spiro Nicolopoulos, better known in some circles for slinging rage-tweets than building a statewide coalition.
And yes—Micah Beckwith supports this lawsuit, despite the fact that he used the exact same delegate system in 2024 to beat State Representative Julie McGuire at the convention for Lt. Governor. Apparently the rules are illegitimate only when they don’t work in your favor.
To be clear, Bortka and crew raise real concerns about transparency, delegate authority, and whether the Party’s base has a meaningful voice. But betting the court will fix it for them? That’s like asking a judge to referee a family reunion where someone spiked the punch.
Unless something dramatic changes, this one’s headed for the legal dustbin.
But politically? This is jet fuel for the Republican Party’s ongoing dumpster fire.
