(The Center Square) – Indiana voters will head to the polls Tuesday for the state’s primary election. The Republican gubernatorial race is expected to be the main event, although recent polling shows it likely won’t be a close finish.
Six are seeking the nomination to serve as the party’s nominee for the Nov. 5 general election ballot. Two-term Republican incumbent Gov. Eric Holcomb cannot seek re-election.
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is the heavy favorite heading into Tuesday. According to a State Affairs/Howey Politics Indiana survey released last month, 44% of likely Republican voters said they would vote for him. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch was a distant second at 10%. Brad Chambers, the former state commerce secretary under Holcomb, and Eric Doden, who served as the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. under then-Gov. Mike Pence, both received 8% support.
Former state Attorney General Curtis Hill and political newcomer Jamie Reitenour each polled at 2%.
Braun has received several top endorsements, including support from former President Donald Trump, the Indiana State Police Alliance, the Club for Growth and Americans for Prosperity.
Last week, Braun also received an endorsement from the Northwestern Indiana Building and Trades Council. The labor union hailed the Jasper native as an ardent supporter of American workers.
“Because of leaders like Mike Braun, we will continue to build world-class infrastructure and maintain our state’s foundational steel, oil and manufacturing industries, Randy Palmateer, the council’s business manager, said in a statement Braun posted on the campaign’s social media accounts.
Crouch’s campaign has centered on her pledge to eliminate the state’s income tax. Her campaign site claims doing that would help grow the state’s economy and give Hoosiers, on average, an additional $2,000 in their wallets. The plan also calls for caps on state budget growth and using current budget surpluses to mitigate the impact of the lost tax revenue.
While Chambers served in the Holcomb Administration as recently as last year, he bills himself as a political outsider. His plan for economic growth calls for the state to ensure Indiana universities prepare students for the tech jobs that will be needed in the near future and find new foreign markets for home-grown products with a focus on agriculture.
Doden’s campaign has centered on protecting Second Amendment rights, supporting law enforcement, backing pro-family and pro-life causes and fighting opioid and fentanyl.
Holcomb, whose term in office has included record economic development across the state, has not endorsed any candidate in the race. In late March, he posted a threat on his X account asking candidates questions and giving them advice.
“As the state’s chief executive, you won’t be able to rely on slogans or empty campaign promises to yield positive results,” he posted. “Instead, your vision and where you want to lead the state must be accompanied by detailed plans that you will implement.”
Tuesday’s winner will face former Indiana Superintendent Jennifer McCormick, who faces no opposition in the Democratic primary. Libertarian Donald Rainwater and Independent Christopher Stried are also running.
Braun’s senate seat is also on the primary ballot. U.S. Rep Jim Banks is the lone GOP candidate, while former state Rep. Marc Carmichael and newcomer Valerie McCray seek the Democratic nomination. Libertarian Andy Horing and Independents Sean Dada and Richard Kent will also be on the November ballot.
