On Tuesday, a 22 member state Republican committee met to select their nominee for IN governor after Mike Pence was selected as Donald Trump’s running mate.
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Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb is the Republican candidate for governor.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Holcomb might not have access to all of his predecessor’s campaign funds. 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.
“I congratulate Eric Holcomb on his selection and believe that he is the best person to serve as the 51 Indiana Governor. 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”. For the first time in state history, Republicans are fielding a candidate not selected by voters or delegates to a party convention. Both members will have some work to do to get their names back on the ballot in their 4th and 5th districts, respectively.
“For too many Hoosier families, wages aren’t keeping up and the good paying jobs we are losing aren’t being replaced”, the Democratic candidate said in a news release.
The next big decision will be Holcomb’s selection of a lieutenant governor running mate, which is set to be formally approved by the Republican state committee on Monday.
Brooks and Rokita, who both withdrew from their congressional races, have until August 14 to get back on the ballot. Trump must do well among Republicans in southeast Wisconsin, where the anti-Trump movement was strong, in order to carry the state in November.
Holcomb was one of four people up for the nomination.
Albright said the Holcomb pick makes sense but acknowledges tapping Congresswoman Susan Brooks to run for governor could’ve made for a more competitive race against Democrats John Gregg and Christina Hale.
“Once Pence had endorsed him, I think he became the favorite”, said Paul Helmke, a professor of practice at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Holcomb just became lieutenant governor in March when his predecessor, Sue Ellspermann, resigned to become president of a college.
Former House Speaker John Gregg (D, right) greets Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb (R).
Since Rokita dropped out of the race for U.S. Congress to potentially run for governor, State Sen. Jim Tomes, and the more competitive U.S. Reps.
Supporters of Brooks and Rokita argued they were better candidates to extend the GOP’s 12-year hold on the governor’s office, but a rejection of Holcomb could’ve been embarrassing to Pence just days after his ratification as the Republican vice presidential candidate.
The committee’s choice will face Democratic nominee John Gregg in the November election. Mitch Daniels, as chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, and as chief of staff to U.S. Sen.
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Gov. Pence and at least three members of the committee are publicly backing Holcomb. Brooks touted the endorsement of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who Trump also considered as a vice presidential nominee before opting for Pence.
