(The Center Square) – A former Indiana state senator is now the new head of the state’s Republican Party.
The Indiana Republican State Committee met on Monday and unanimously voted for Randy Head to be its next chairman. Head, who served in the General Assembly for nearly 11 years, has most recently led the party’s Fourth District.
He replaces Anne Hathaway, whose resignation was made public a little more than a week ago after the Indiana GOP convention took place in Indianapolis. U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, recommended him for the leadership role last week when he met with committee members.
“Having served on the State Committee, I have good relationships with its members and am ready to hit the ground running,” he said. “Luckily, Chairwoman Hathaway has put the party in a great position, and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the State Committee to continue the Republican Party’s streak of success in Indiana.”
Hathaway’s departure, as well as that of party Executive Director Joe Elsener, became public last Sunday, one day after a majority of delegates at the state convention rejected Braun’s recommended pick for lieutenant governor on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. Instead of state Rep. Julie McGuire, conventiongoers voted for Micah Beckwith, a Noblesville pastor who campaigned to assure the governor’s office would abide by Christian conservative policies.
There have been rumblings across the state that Beckwith’s views on some social issues could deter more moderate-leaning voters from casting their ballots for Braun. Braun will face former Indiana state superintendent Jennifer McCormick in the November election.
Last week, McCormick announced Terry Goodin, a former state lawmaker from Southern Indiana, is her preferred choice as lieutenant governor. Indiana Democrats will hold their convention next month, and Goodin will also face challengers for the spot.
Beckwith posted his congratulations on X Monday afternoon, saying he looks forward to working with Head, Braun and other Republicans to keep the state red in November.
Other candidates and elected officials within the party were quick to post their good wishes to the new chair.
“Randy will be a great leader for our party during the most important election of my lifetime,” U.S. Rep Jim Banks posted on X after the announcement. Banks is running for Braun’s seat in the U.S. Senate this fall.
