The decision in a Tuesday party caucus in Indianapolis means Indiana Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb will be running for governor on the November ballot.
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Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb is the Republican candidate for governor. “And that translates into financial support and other campaign resources and his campaign that I was part of before he was tapped [to be Donald Trump’s VP]”. In 2000, Holcomb ran for office in the Indiana House of Representatives and was defeated by Democratic incumbent John Frenz.
The former top aide to Daniels and U.S. Sen.
Holcomb kept to Pence’s stance on whether the state should expand LGBT civil rights protections, saying “we have a balance right now of protecting our religious liberties while making sure that we’re not discriminating”. He says voters must choose between “a veteran who has always answered the call to serve” and Gregg, whom he accused of supporting “tax increases, debt, and insider deals”.
And Gregg said that, while Holcomb isn’t Pence, “the issues remain the same”.
Gregg said his focus is on Hoosier family wages and jobs, claiming that Holcomb, “wholeheartedly embraced the failed approach that embarrassed our state, cost us jobs and has left the middle class behind”. “The people of IN deserve more than an ideologue running our state – we need a leader willing to fight for working families”.
State committee member Kyle Hupfer of Madison County, who was supporting Holcomb, said the lieutenant governor benefits from long ties with GOP leaders. They both represent heavily Republican districts and faced little-known Democratic candidates.
“We will continue to balance budgets, we will continue to right-size our tax code, we will continue to invest in education, in infrastructure and work every day to make in the best place to live, work, play and stay”, Holcomb said.
“Eric will build upon Governor Mike Pence’s successful legacy of sound fiscal management, job creation and economic success, and continue to make IN a state that works”, said Gov. Susana Martinez, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, IN a statement Tuesday.
During Tuesday’s central committee meeting, other candidates considered were U.S. Reps.
Since Gov. Mike Pence headed off to NY 13 days ago to be named the GOP vice presidential candidate, he hasn’t had a single public meeting or event in Indiana. “Eric Holcomb is just another out-of-touch ideologue who will hurt the middle class and undermine Hoosier values”. Holcomb is a former state Republican chairman whom Pence appointed Holcomb to the state’s No. 2 office in March after his 2012 running mate resigned.
The 22-member Republican State Central Committee picked never has won an election, following more than three hours of secret interviews with the four candidates and debate among committee members.
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“Congressman Todd Rokita and Congresswoman Susan Brooks are strong and capable leaders who I know will continue to work toward the shared goals of the Republican Party”. Jim Tomes also sought the GOP nomination.
