Todd Huston loses Indiana House seat to Lauren Cole

Todd Huston lost his seat in the Indiana House of Representatives to Democrat Lauren Cole on Tuesday. The defeat ends his tenure as Speaker of the House, a title he will relinquish when the new legislative session begins in January.

Huston represents a district in Hamilton County, where he has resided and served for 12 years. His loss marks a shift in the chamber's leadership structure ahead of the upcoming term.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Huston described the midterm election as an incredibly challenging environment. He noted that national political headwinds were difficult to overcome in several races.

"We're so proud of our team and all our candidates who stepped up to serve," Huston said. "They spent countless hours in their communities, listening to voters and talking about the issues that matter to Hoosiers."

The former Speaker expressed disappointment with the final tally but highlighted the economic progress made in the state during his time in office. He cited goals such as growing the economy, bringing good-paying jobs to Indiana, and lowering taxes.

"It's been the honor of my life serving Hoosiers in Hamilton County and across our great state," he added. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and all that we've accomplished together."