{"id":2630129,"date":"2026-07-15T13:21:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-gop-governor-ends-race-and-sex-based-contracting\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T13:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:26:08","slug":"indiana-gop-governor-ends-race-and-sex-based-contracting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/indiana-gop-governor-ends-race-and-sex-based-contracting\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana GOP governor ends race- and sex-based contracting"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Findiana-gop-governor-ends-race-and-sex-based-contracting%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2630129&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Governor Mike Braun of Indiana signed an executive order ending the state&#8217;s use of race- and sex-based preferences in awarding contracts, citing a constitutional review initiated by Attorney General Todd Rokita. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that deemed race-conscious programs at universities unconstitutional, and reflects an effort too replace prior diversity programs with a merit-based system prioritizing qualifications, performance, and value. The move aims to create a fairer, level playing field by shifting focus from race or sex to expanding outreach to all small businesses.rokita concluded that such racial and gender preferences are vulnerable under constitutional protections, specifically referencing a Supreme Court decision and Justice Clarence Thomas\u2019s opinion that the Constitution is inherently &#8220;colorblind.&#8221; Braun emphasized that the new approach will promote equal protection under the law and avoid divisive, politically-charged practices. The change also aligns with broader legal and judicial trends discouraging government classifications based on race or sex.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-braun\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3051\">Mike Braun<\/a> (R-IN) signed an executive order Wednesday ending the state\u2019s use of race- and sex-based preferences in awarding state contracts following the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/indiana\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1228\">Indiana<\/a> attorney general\u2019s finding that certain programs were unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Braun said he had directed Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) to review whether the state\u2019s Minority and Women\u2019s Business Enterprises procurement program could withstand constitutional scrutiny under the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/equal-protection-clause\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"6311\">Equal Protection Clause<\/a> of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/14th-amendment\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4711\">14th Amendment<\/a> and whether the governor had the authority to eliminate the preferences.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4649115\/todd-blanche-congress-attorney-general-confirmation\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: Todd Blanche testifies before Congress at attorney general confirmation hearing<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4648627\/todd-blanche-hearing-test-senate-gop-support\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Todd Blanche hearing to test GOP support as Senate weighs Trump\u2019s DOJ pick<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4647976\/jack-smith-team-texts-44-members-congress-doj-records\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Jack Smith team reviewed contents of texts involving 44 members of Congress, DOJ records show<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rokita concluded both that the programs were constitutionally vulnerable under the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"203\">Supreme Court\u2019s<\/a> 2023 decision in <em>Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard<\/em> and that Braun had the authority to end them, paving the way for Wednesday\u2019s order. In his legal opinion, Rokita cited Justice <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/clarence-thomas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1048\">Clarence Thomas\u2019s<\/a> concurring opinion, in which he argued that the Constitution is inherently \u201ccolorblind\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >prohibits government racial classifications<\/a> regardless of their purpose.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The order replaces the existing framework with what Braun called a \u201cmerit-based\u201d procurement system, saying the state contracts should be awarded based on qualifications, performance, and value rather than race or sex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur Constitution mandates equal protection under the law, because a system where the government picks winners and losers on the basis of race or sex can never be fair,\u201d Braun said in a news release. \u201cIndiana has replaced divisive, politically-charged programs with a focus on Merit, Excellence, and Innovation: a level playing field where every single Hoosier has the chance to get ahead with hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indiana\u2019s Minority and Women\u2019s Business Enterprises program had encouraged state agencies to award a portion of contracting dollars to certified businesses owned by women and racial minorities. Under Braun\u2019s order, the state will instead focus on expanding outreach to all small <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/business\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8763\">businesses<\/a> while eliminating contracting preferences tied to race or sex.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move represents a significant downstream application of the Supreme Court\u2019s 2023 decision, which held that race-conscious admissions programs at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/harvard\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3055\">Harvard<\/a> and the University of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"552\">North Carolina<\/a> violated the Equal Protection Clause. While that ruling addressed higher education admissions, it has extended to other government programs that classify people by race or sex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4648785\/marines-florida-william-upham-trump-antichrist\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4648785\/marines-florida-william-upham-trump-antichrist\/\">MARINES DISAVOW FLORIDA HOUSE CANDIDATE WHO SAID \u2018ANTICHRIST\u2019 TRUMP \u2018MUST BE KILLED\u2019 <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis blatantly illegal program singles out some Hoosiers for disfavored treatment purely because of their sex or the color of their skin, and it insults other Hoosiers by suggesting they cannot compete on a fair playing field,\u201d Rokita said Wednesday. \u201cThe program is both un-American and unconstitutional.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Braun said he is directing state agencies to continue outreach to businesses across Indiana using race- and sex-neutral criteria, and that the state will soon announce a new small-business initiative.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gov. Braun ends race-based preferences in Indiana contracts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2630130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24124036974340-1-1-scaled-e1784130805745.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[18592,4173,61520],"class_list":["post-2630129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-contracting","tag-governor","tag-indiana-gop"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP24124036974340-1-1-scaled-e1784130805745.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630129","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2630129"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630129\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630133,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630129\/revisions\/2630133"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2630130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2630129"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2630129"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2630129"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}