Chris Garten

Chris Garten
File:State Sen. Chris Garten.jpg
Majority Leader of the Indiana Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office August 17, 2022
Preceded by	Mark Messmer
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 45th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 7, 2018
Preceded by	Jim Smith
Personal details
Born	February 13, 1982 Scottsburg, Indiana
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Beth
Children	3
Education	Marine Corps University Indiana University, Southeast
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Battles/wars	Iraq War

Chris Garten is an Indiana state senator (R-Charlestown), small business owner and retired U.S. Marine who served two combat tours in Iraq. Garten was first elected in November 2018 to represent Indiana Senate District 45 and was re-elected for a second term in November 2022. In August 2022, he was appointed Majority Floor Leader.

Early life and education

Garten was raised in a broken home in Scottsburg, Indiana, plagued with alcoholism, drugs and domestic violence. He got his first job at the age of 12 throwing hay in tobacco fields, cutting and hanging some of southern Indiana's finest tobacco crop. When Garten was 14, he was taken in by a loving family who later adopted him. Garten graduated from Scottsburg Senior High School in 2000. He played varsity basketball and was set on going to college to become a teacher. He attended Indiana University Southeast, but his college education was interrupted by his military service. In August 2023, he completed his undergraduate studies and earned his bachelor's degree through Indiana University Southeast's degree reclamation program.

Military service

Garten served his country as a United States Marine for roughly 14 satisfactory service years between 2001 and 2021, which included two combat tours in Iraq. In 2003, Garten was deployed as part of the initial offensive for Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2005, Garten's unit was activated for deployment, although his return to Iraq was not required since he had already gone. Nevertheless, Garten, who was now a Sergeant and Platoon Commander with 45 Marines in his unit, deployed to Iraq for a second time. He served as a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 2019-2021.

Business

In 2007, shortly after returning home from his second deployment, Garten founded Signature Countertops, Inc. in Jeffersonville, Indiana and remains the company's owner and president. The small business specializes in granite, marble and quartz countertops. As of December 2023, Garten employed approximately 30 team members and had two locations: a digital manufacturing facility in Scottsburg, IN and a main office/showroom in Jeffersonville, IN. The company is estimated to have made over $6 million in gross sales in 2022.

Elected office

Garten was first elected to the Indiana Senate in November 2018. In August 2022, Garten was appointed as Senate Majority Floor Leader by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville), making Garten the state's first ever first-term Majority Floor Leader. He was soon after re-elected for a second term in November 2022. In addition to his leadership position within the Senate Republican caucus, Garten chairs the Senate Committee on Joint Rules, serves as Ranking Member for the Senate Rules & Legislative Procedure Committee, serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations and sits on the State Budget Committee. In 2023, he also chaired the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force and Government Reform Task Force. As of April 2024, Garten has authored/sponsored and successfully passed into law over 80 bills. He has co-authored and co-sponsored many more.

Statewide and community involvement

Garten serves on many boards and is an active member of many organizations. He is a board member for the One Southern Indiana Advocacy Council, Scott County Public Defender Board and Darkhorse Expeditions. He previously served as Vice-President of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce and on the Indiana Builders Association Board. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Garten is also an active member of the American Legion, Marine Corps League, Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Builders Association and National Federation of Independent Business. He was formerly a member of the Scottsburg Kiwanis Club and a coach on multiple youth sports teams.

Honors and achievements

Throughout his professional career, Garten has earned several awards and been recognized by many organizations. In 2024, State Affairs and Howey Politics released an "Indiana Power 50" list that named Garten as one of the state's most influential people. In 2023, Garten was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Indiana State Police Alliance and recognized for his "Commitment to Excellence" by the Indiana Association of Counties. In 2022, Garten was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Indiana Bankers Association and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also named "Senator of the Year" by Aviation Indiana. In 2021, the Indiana Builders Association presented Garten with the "John C. Hart Presidential Award" and in 2019, ProKids Central Indiana First Steps named him a distinguished "First Steps Champion." In 2018, the Amick-Baker-Kellems Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 156 awarded Garten their "Dwight & Marilyn Chamberlain Policeman's Friend Award." In 2017, One Southern Indiana presented Garten with their "James W. Robinson Young Professional of the Year Award" and Garten graduated from the Indiana Leadership Forum. In 2016, Southern Indiana Business Source included Garten in their "20 UNDER 40" list. In 2014 and again in 2016, Garten's business, Signature Countertops was named "Small Business of the Year." Toward the end of his participation in the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course in 2015, Garten was selected by his peers to receive the "Highest Award for Achievement." In 2012, the Indiana Southeast Business Development Center recognized him as "Young Entrepreneur of the Year."