Mike Pence was facing a stiff test in the November election as he faced re-election, but now that he’s been tapped as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s running mate, that fight has been handed over to another candidate.
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The decision in a Tuesday party caucus in Indianapolis means Indiana Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb will be running for governor on the November ballot.
“Gov. Pence will follow the law and you can be assured he will do everything he can to support Eric Holcomb and make sure he has the resources necessary to be elected the next governor of the state of IN”, he said. He said he was “honored and gratified by the expression of support”.
Just four months ago, Eric Holcomb was sworn in as Indiana’s lieutenant governor.
Republican Party rules gave each of the candidates three minutes to speak before the state committee. The committee seemed to be pretty evenly split between Holcomb and Brooks.
The choice followed a flurry of behind-the-scenes lobbying that took place after Pence was selected almost two weeks ago by Donald Trump as his vice presidential pick. When Gov. Pence withdrew his name from the gubernatorial race on the deadline to withdraw from the IN ballot, Holcomb withdrew his own name from the ballot and announced his desire to run for governor.
That followed a dustup with some top donors, including GOP mega donor Al Hubbard, when Holcomb appeared to assert to committee members that he alone had assurances of financial support from Pence’s million war chest.
In response to Holcomb’s selection, Gregg and his allies quickly moved to paint him with the same brush of criticism they’ve used for Pence, who drew heat for signing a religious freedom law seen as discriminatory.
Holcomb is an experienced political operative.
Holcomb, 48, is the former head of Indiana’s Republican Party. U.S. Representative Susan Brooks was another name with strong backing, including from former Angie’s List CEO Bill Oesterle. “So, John has some advantages and he just needs to capitalize on them”, said former state Democratic chairman, Dan Parker.
Three office-holders say they’re interested in seeking Rokita’s seat, but only if Rokita is nominated to run for a statewide office. Gregg said although there is a new name on the ballot, the issues he will target remain the same. “This job is too important to be a consolation prize”, Gregg said.
Gregg released a statement welcoming the opportunity to link Holcomb to Pence, charging Holcomb “embraced the failed approach that embarrassed our state and cost us jobs”. “My economic plan sets our state on a new path forward, one that puts jobs and the middle class first”. Jim Tomes. The committee chose Holcomb, who has never won an elected office.
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He shrugged off Pence’s repeated conflicts with Glenda Ritz, the Democratic state superintendent of public instruction, by declaring that he’s willing to work with anyone who “wants to make sure that every kid in IN has access to the best education available”.
