Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana’s Democratic Party has a new leader who hails from this area.  Mike Schmuhl of South Bend has been elected as chairman of the party.

Democrats are hoping to tap into the popularity of favorite son Pete Buttigieg.  Schmuhl is a lifelong friend of Buttigieg and his former chief of staff and campaign manager.  Prior to that, he managed Joe Donnelly's successful Senate campaign in 2010.

The 38-year-old Schmuhl is a graduate of St. Joseph High School and the University of Notre Dame.  He leads a South Bend venture capital firm called Heartland Ventures.

Schmuhl will be leading an underdog cause. Democrats have not won a statewide race since 2012.