New Albany state Rep. Ed Clere has been expelled from the House Republican caucus after announcing plans to leave the party and run for mayor as an independent.
Over the weekend, Clare offered a scathing reflection on the Republican Party, saying it had been “changed beyond recognition” in the era of President Donald Trump and saying the party had “lost its way.” Even so, expulsions from caucuses are rare: Only one other Republican in the state Capitol has not caucused, and that’s Sen. Mike Young of Indianapolis, who left voluntarily in 2022 because he believed Republicans weren’t doing enough on an abortion ban.
Clare said he was surprised by the Feb. 2 decision: He was on his way to a caucus meeting when House Speaker Todd Huston pulled him into a meeting and informed him of his dismissal, citing his weekend statements.
“It was a very brief conversation,” Claire told IndyStar. “I am surprised and disappointed, but I will continue to represent my district to the best of my ability, as I have done for 18 years.”
When asked why the decision was made, Houston simply reiterated the news through a spokesman.
“Following her announcement this weekend that she is leaving the Republican Party, Rep. Claire will no longer participate in the House Republican caucuses,” he said. “The commission’s mandate will not be affected.”
Clare plans to run for mayor of New Albany as an independent in 2027 rather than run for re-election to her House seat. He previously ran in 2023 as a Republican but lost to the incumbent by a few hundred votes.
Rep. Ed Clere and other lawmakers gather at the Indiana State Capitol on Organization Day, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Clare broke with his party several times during his time in the state parliament, on everything from abortion to same-sex marriage to transgender rights. Most recently, he was one of a dozen House Republicans who joined Democrats in voting against a mid-decade redistricting bill pushed by Trump. Indiana State Police are still investigating bomb threats against several lawmakers, including Clare, who voted against the bill.
He previously said the redistricting battle was just the latest example of the nationalization of politics seeping into national policy.
“You’ve heard it before: ‘I didn’t leave the party, the party left me.’ That’s how I feel,” Claire said.
He also singled out Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith as a “polarizing” and divisive figure who represents what he sees as the fault of the Republican Party.
“He’s a bomb-thrower and a very polarizing figure and he seems to thrive on that,” he said. “This is a perfect example of why I can’t run as a Republican again.”
In a post on X, Beckwith countered, citing Claire’s remarks at an ACLU rally in support of trans youth.
“Ed, I’m sure we’d be fine without you,” Beckwith wrote.
Clare will retain his staff, bill and committee assignments. In addition to a symbolic excommunication, in practice being kicked out of the caucus means he cannot participate in closed-door caucuses with other Republicans. Although Clare will not run for re-election in 2026, caucus members will also receive leadership support during the election.
Traditionally, legislative leadership looks for other ways to punish members they find out of line, and Clare was included. In 2015, Clare was fired as chairman of the House Public Health Committee after he supported a bill to legalize needle exchange programs. Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, and former Sen. Mike Delph are among the lawmakers who have been removed from committee assignments over their social media activity. But Clare cannot recall any other expulsions in the House during his tenure.
Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Indiana House Republican caucus expels longtime representative who says he plans to leave party
