Indiana voters are hearing more mud‑slinging than policy discussion as the 2026 midterm races heat up, according to local media analyst Tony Katz. Katz says the flood of weak scandal ads and online smears is distracting Hoosiers from the everyday issues that matter to families, businesses, and communities.
Attack ads dominate the conversation
Katz criticized both parties for relying on “weak scandals, tired attack ads, and out‑of‑touch consultants” rather than offering concrete solutions. He described the current ad climate as “a whole bunch of suck,” adding that the ads “stink to high heaven.”
One recent example involves Republican Secretary of State candidate Max Engling, whose campaign faced online chatter after a returned donation. Katz asked, “What bomb can we drop? And then we move on to the next thing,” suggesting that candidates are allowing Washington‑based operatives to run “lazy playbooks” instead of focusing on securing elections or supporting local businesses.
Democratic ads also under fire
The criticism extends to Democratic challengers as well. In Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, state Senator J.D. Ford aired ads attacking Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz over a stock trade. Katz called the move “completely tone‑deaf” to suburban voters in Carmel and Fishers, noting that Hoosiers care more about jobs, taxes, and public safety than a candidate’s personal investment history.
“You have the opportunity to run a race and you can win… and you’re running an ad about whether or not she had a stock trade?” Katz said. “There’s no conversation there about what makes Hoosier lives better.”
National consultants cashing checks
Katz pointed to past campaigns that relied on national consultants, such as Democrat Miles Nelson’s failed Carmel mayoral bid, which was backed by former Biden chief of staff Ron Klain. He argues that Hoosiers reject “nationalized smear tactics” and want candidates to treat them as adults.
“If you want to make an argument about guys’ policies, go make the argument,” Katz urged. “If you want to claim that they engaged in something illicit, be able to prove it.” He called for a higher level of discourse, asking candidates to “elevate” the conversation for the benefit of Indiana families.
Where to hear more
Listeners can hear Katz break down the issue live on weekdays on WIBC 93.1 FM or stream the full segment on‑demand. The discussion highlights a broader concern among Hoosiers: the desire for honest, policy‑focused campaigning that respects the intelligence of voters and the values of traditional families.
As the midterm season progresses, the hope is that candidates will shift from mud‑slinging to substantive dialogue, giving Indiana voters clear choices on how to improve their neighborhoods, schools, and local economies.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
