Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced a run for governor of Indiana on Monday, throwing his title into what is predicted to be a packed Republican subject vying to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Braun’s announcement did not come out of nowhere. He has reportedly been mulling a gubernatorial run since at the very least September, submitting marketing campaign papers late final month.
The primary-term senator from Indiana made his resolution official throughout lunch at an Indianapolis steakhouse on Monday.
Braun’s announcement got here simply hours after one other Indiana Republican, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, launched into the gubernatorial race. Eric Doden, a former appointee of former Governor Mike Pence, has been within the race since Could.
Braun, a rich businessman, first received his Senate seat in 2018, financing his marketing campaign to oust the then-senator. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) with greater than $11 million in private loans.
The eventual winner of the Republican main will enter the final election as the favourite to succeed Holcomb, who can not search re-election resulting from time period limits. The Republican Celebration has managed the Indian governor’s mansion for twenty years.
Whereas Holcomb simply received re-election in 2020, he drew the ire of many conservatives due to his COVID-19 insurance policies. She additionally riled many in her occasion, together with Braun, earlier this 12 months when she vetoed a invoice barring transgender ladies from competing in ladies’s sports activities.
Braun’s announcement is more likely to open up a aggressive Republican main for his Senate seat. Amongst these trying to run for Braun’s seat is Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.). Banks’ workplace informed The Hill late final month that the Indiana congressman is “very severely contemplating working for the USA Senate.”