Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s decision to tap the sitting governor as his running mate created a void, and Brooks and Rokita were two of several Republicans to throw their names in the mix to challenge Democrat John Gregg in November.
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U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita also sought the GOP nomination. This caucus was conducted under the traditional caucus rules of the Indiana Republican Party- all voting members voted by secret ballot, all votes were counted in the presence of watchers. Pence had endorsed Holcomb for the nomination.
After a private meeting, the 22-member Indiana Republican state committee announced it had decided Holcomb was best positioned to retain the governor’s office.
Major Indiana Republican donor Al Hubbard calls Holcomb’s letter “threatening”.
A special Indiana Republican panel has picked Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb as the new GOP nominee for the open governor’s seat, replacing Governor Mike Pence after he moved to join Trump’s national ticket.
State committee member Kyle Hupfer of Madison County, who was supporting Holcomb, said the lieutenant governor benefits from long ties with GOP leaders.
Holcomb, a 48-year-old former state Republican chairman who has never been elected to office, has touted his eight years as a top aide and campaign manager to former Gov. Mitch Daniels and four months as lieutenant governor.
Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., gestures as the audience applauds after he spoke during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. “I’ve known Eric Holcomb for more than twenty years, and I believe he is one of the best prepared individuals in recent memory to take on the job of Governor”. “I also believe that having an accomplished woman at the top of your statewide ticket in IN will draw even more support and attention to this race from across the country”.
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Gov. Pence and at least three members of the committee are publicly backing Holcomb.
