Indiana GOP chairman's stake in liquor stores raises conflict-of-interest fears

Two influential Indiana Republicans have bought into a business whose lobby has for years kept cold beer out of grocery stores and other retail outlets, a move that is raising conflict-of-interest questions involving the industry's clout at the Statehouse.

The package liquor store lobby has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favor, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies, despite the fact polls have consistently shown most Hoosiers want that measure to pass.

Kyle Hupfer, the state GOP chairman, and Nate Feltman, commerce secretary under former Gov. Mitch Daniels and co-owner of the Indianapolis Business Journal, have joined a venture as minority partners with Indiana Liquor Group to purchase Save-on Liquor, a chain of 31 stores in north-central Indiana. They and Republican lawmakers say the purchase won't create an uneven playing field in the General Assembly.

While it's perfectly legal in Indiana for party officials such as Hupfer to have private investments, industry leaders and political experts say the fear is Republican lawmakers will vote for legislation in ways that would help their political allies.

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/03/where-can-you-buy-cold-beer-indiana-fears-deepen-wont-grocery-stores/2730802002/