Governor Eric Holcomb to challenge Democrat John Gregg in the race for governor.
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In southern Indiana, Holcomb received some support from one of the people he will be sharing the ticket with. The Navy veteran served as Chief of Staff for Senator Dan Coats and chairman of the Indiana Republican Party. “This job is too important to be a consolation prize”, he said. “It was about those failed policies”, said Gregg, “I’m the one candidate that didn’t start out and hadn’t switched horses a couple of times along the race”.
Holcomb, Rokita and Brooks withdrew from their respective races because state law prohibits candidates from running for two offices at the same time. He was the replacement possibility closest to Gov. Mike Pence, who built a record on social issues Gregg will attack aggressively and from which Holcomb will have trouble distancing himself.
The Indiana Republican state committee voted during a private meeting Tuesday to nominate Holcomb after Pence dropped his re-election bid to become Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
Gregg, 61, is making his second run for governor after losing by about 3 percentage points to Pence four years ago.
The two members of Congress who unsuccessfully sought to replace Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on the November ballot say they will now seek re-election to their current positions.
The state committee will meet again on August 1 to choose a candidate for lieutenant governor. Brooks and Rokita could be re-appointed on the ballot unless the precinct committee chairs decide to appoint a different candidate. They both represent heavily Republican districts and faced little-known Democratic candidates.
“The only way we continue Indiana’s progress is by joining together – as a team – to do what we do best: balance budgets, cut taxes, invest in education and infrastructure, and work every day to make in the best place to live and do business in the Midwest”.
The nomination of Holcomb was made by 22 voting members of the state Republican committee.
Upon becoming the nominee, Holcomb was less specific when asked about Pence’s campaign cash. “There is a clear contract in this gubernatorial race between the policies that have made in the economic envy of the nation, and the empty rhetoric and failed policies of the Evan Bayh-John Gregg era that bankrupted our state, and Eric Holcomb is well-positioned to highlight those differences”. Holcomb was chosen by Gov. Mike Pence to replace Sue Ellspermann.
In another email to the committee, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gave his endorsement to Brooks, saying he is “prepared to help Susan become the next governor of IN”.
U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita also sought the GOP nomination.
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Once Daniels left office, Holcomb became a top aide to Sen. Jim Tomes (toms) of Wadesville.
