03-20-2026 Indiana Governor Mike Braun Named FGA’s 2025 Governor of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 2026

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Named FGA's 2025 Governor of the Year

INDIANAPOLIS - Today, Indiana Governor Mike Braun was presented with the Foundation for Government Accountability's (FGA) 2025 "Governor of the Year" award. FGA's "Governor of the Year" award recognizes a uniquely dedicated leader who advances policies that reduce barriers to work, increase trust in government, and promote self-sufficiency and dignity for individuals and families.

"I am honored to receive this award from FGA, recognizing our work to make government more efficient, focus our safety net on those who truly need it, and create more opportunities for people to get back to work and build a better life," said Gov. Braun. "When we grow wages, create jobs, and make every taxpayer dollar count, we set Hoosiers up for success."

FGA recognizes Governor Braun for his bold, forward-thinking leadership that has made Indiana an example to the rest of the country for how to navigate crises and have your state emerge stronger. When Governor Braun took office in early 2025, Indiana's Medicaid program was facing a worst-case scenario with not enough funding to take care of the truly needy who rely on the program. Governor Braun worked closely with the General Assembly to assess Medicaid spending, make the program more sustainable, and begin moving hundreds of thousands of able-bodied Hoosiers from welfare to work.

When Gov. Braun represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate and the Indiana House, Governor Braun was known for his work on health care. Governor Braun's efforts to repair his state's Medicaid program laid the foundation for additional welfare reform and put Indiana on the map-no longer flailing, but thriving.

He then set his sights on the state's food stamp program, launching the Make Indiana Healthy Again initiative with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. He signed nine executive orders aimed at helping Hoosiers live longer and healthier lives, and Indiana became a vocal and early leader in the popular movement to remove junk food from the food stamp program-a move that inspired more than 20 other states to follow suit.

"In the U.S. Senate, Governor Braun stood out as someone willing to work hard and tackle tough issues, so it's no surprise that we saw that same spirit and work ethic in his first year as governor, setting a standard for impact and speed that other new governors would do well to copy," said Jonathan Bechtle, COO and General Counsel for FGA and Indiana resident.

"A stronger safety net, promoting work over welfare, and a healthier and happier Indiana-all in one year. 'Governor of the Year' is an understatement, and we look forward to seeing what Governor Braun accomplishes in the years to come," continued Bechtle.

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Griffin Reid
Office of Governor Mike Braun
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 317-391-9475