Chris Garten is an American politician. Garten was first elected in November 2018 to represent District 45 in the Indiana Senate,and was re-elected for a second term in November 2022. In August 2022,he was appointed Majority Floor Leader. He is a member of the Republican Party.
On Christmas Day,2025,Garten posted AI pics of himself beating up Santa Claus,and called snowflakes those who protested.
Early life and education
Garten was raised in Scottsburg,Indiana,and graduated from Scottsburg Senior High School in 2000.[1] 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.[2][3]
Military service
Garten served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for 14 years with broken time between 2001 and 2021,which included two combat tours in Iraq. He separated from the service as a gunnery sergeant. At various times he held the billet of platoon commander and scout patrol leader.[2]
Career
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.[4]
Elected office
Garten was first elected to the Indiana Senate in November 2018.[5] In August 2022,Garten was appointed[6] as Senate Majority Floor Leader by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray,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.[7]
Controversy
On 25 December 2025,Garten posted AI-generated images on the social network X of himself beating and kicking Santa Claus with people holding "Garten for Indiana" signs in the background.[8]
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United States 
United States Marine Corps