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Once again, Abdul Hakim Shabazz has found himself on the wrong side of the facts. In a recent claim, Shabazz asserted that Gabe Whitley, a former Congressional Candidate and Republican Precinct Committeeman, had endorsed John Schmitz for Marion County GOP Chairman. The reality? Whitley threw his full support behind Natalie Goodwin for the role, a fact made crystal clear in a press release issued on February 24, 2025. Shabazz’s blunder isn’t just a minor slip—it’s a glaring misrepresentation of Whitley’s political stance and alliances.
In his press release, Whitley didn’t mince words: “I am proud to publicly announce my 100% support for Natalie Goodwin in her candidacy for Marion County GOP Chairwoman. Natalie is a fantastic leader who I firmly believe will steer our party in the right direction. She has the vision and strength to unite the entire Republican base, bringing us together to achieve real victories.” Whitley’s endorsement was unequivocal, aligning himself with other prominent Republicans like Jim Banks and Abu Shabazz in backing Goodwin.
Contrast that with Whitley’s take on Schmitz, whom he dismissed as unfit for leadership: “John couldn’t win a dog catcher race if he tried. He ran for State Representative twice and lost. He ran for Mayor and lost. He ran for Congress and lost—by a huge margin. We don’t need another perennial candidate who can’t deliver.” Whitley’s disdain for Schmitz couldn’t be more apparent, making Abdul Hakim Shabazz’s claim all the more baffling.
Yet, Shabazz persisted in tying Whitley to Schmitz, a narrative Whitley has publicly debunked. Whitley even recounted advising Bob Kern, a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, against involving Schmitz in his campaign. “I told Bob not to bring in John Schmitz because he was toxic,” Whitley said, pointing to an incident where Schmitz was ejected from the Democratic Convention for harassing Representative André Carson. Far from being a Schmitz ally, Whitley emerges as a pragmatic figure, aiding Kern—a partially disabled Democrat—out of a belief in shared values, while still voting Republican in the general election for Governor Mike Braun and Micah Beckwith.
Whitley’s political philosophy transcends party lines: “I help any candidate that believes in liberty and freedom—political party doesn’t concern me.” This explains his support for both Kern and Beckwith, whom he saw as strong contenders for Lieutenant Governor, as well as his relief at Goodwin’s victory over Schmitz. “I’m glad Natalie won after I heard John Schmitz was running,” Whitley remarked.
However, Whitley’s voting history with Schmitz adds a layer of complexity. He admitted to supporting Schmitz in a June 2024 special election to replace Jenn Pace—a congressional candidate who passed away in early March—and again in the general election, citing his refusal to vote for André Carson, a Muslim. Whitley’s views on Muslims are unapologetically extreme: he supports Trump’s Muslim ban, believes Muslims should be “rounded up and sent out of state,” and advocates for their exclusion from the U.S. These statements, while controversial, don’t change the fact that his endorsement in the chairmanship race was squarely for Goodwin—not Schmitz.
Abdul Hakim Shabazz’s insistence on linking Whitley to Schmitz ignores the evidence and Whitley’s own words. Whether it’s sloppy reporting or a deliberate spin, Shabazz has once again undermined his credibility. Whitley’s record, from his press release to his candid statements, paints a picture of a man with strong—if polarizing—convictions, none of which include backing John Schmitz for Marion County GOP Chairman. Shabazz would do well to check his facts before doubling down on a narrative that’s already collapsed under scrutiny.