INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) will be the Republican candidate in November’s gubernatorial race for the state of Indiana.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Braun received more than 39% of the vote, a significant margin ahead of the other five Republican candidates, according to the Associated Press.
Braun will face Jennifer McCormick in November in the Indiana governor’s race. McCormick, the state’s former superintendent of public instruction, was the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate on the ballot. Braun will also face Donald Rainwater, a Libertarian candidate in the race.
Five other candidates were also running as a Republican in the Indiana governor’s race.
- Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s lieutenant governor
- Brad Chambers, Indiana’s former secretary of commerce
- Eric Doden, the former president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation
- Jamie Reitenour
- Curtis Hill, Indiana’s former attorney general
Braun’s full speech after Tuesday night’s Primary Election can be viewed below:
For live updated results, look below:
Tuesday’s result on the Republican side mirrors the poll that The Hill and Emerson College conducted in March. At that time, 33.6% of Indiana Republicans who participated in the poll said they would vote for Braun. However, more than 40% of Indiana Republicans were undecided at that point.
Before polls closed, Braun said that he believes the six Republican candidates “did the best they could with their resources.” However, Braun continued to tout his U.S. Senate record, specifically listening to constituents.
“I bring a record into it that’s clear and recent. I’m an entrepreneur by trade, and I think all of that will get the whole family of Republicans back on board with whoever wins,” Braun said.
Before the election, McCormick said that she is confident she can strike a bipartisan chord with Indiana voters.
”We know it’s incredibly crowded on the other side,” McCormick said earlier this month. . ”There’s a lot on the line, but we welcome whomever that is, we’re ready to go.”
In an updated statement from McCormick after the results, she said:
“The primary results are in, setting up a clear choice this November. As your governor, I will stand firm in my commitment to the values that define us as Hoosiers,” McCormick said. “I will fight to restore our reproductive rights and freedoms, champion for our kids and ensure Hoosiers earn the wages they deserve. Indiana values reflect those of common sense, civility and bipartisanship. Let’s bring this back to our great state. It’s our time. Let’s go.”
McCormick
In a statement from Brad Chambers, he congratulated Braun on his win in the gubernatorial Republican primary.
“Tonight, I called U.S. Senator Mike Braun to congratulate him on his victory and offer my support in the months ahead,” Chambers said. “I entered this race because I believe Indiana is a great state, but that with the right leadership, it could be even better. I hope U.S. Sen. Braun will be the leader Indiana needs and act ambitiously to create more opportunities that will lift up every Hoosier.”
“Thank you to the thousands of Hoosiers across the state for their support throughout this incredible journey,” he added.
In a statement from Eric Doden regarding this evening’s election results, Doden thanked his supporters and congratulated Braun on his win.
“Thank you to each and every Hoosier who supported us along this journey. For 3 years, we have traveled the state meeting with Hoosiers and offering our bold vision for Indiana’s future. Through those conversations, I stand before you with an even stronger belief in the greatness, and the potential, of the people of Indiana.”
When we announced our campaign, we promised to offer a bold vision and real ideas on how to improve lives. It’s why we proposed a Zero-Cost Adoption plan, our Indiana Main Street Initiative, our property tax freeze for Hoosier seniors and many more.These ideas resonated all across the state and I am confident that they will be implemented as a result.
While tonight represents the end of this campaign — it is merely a step along the way in our calling to make Indiana even better. God has given us a peace and a renewed energy that this is not the end of a journey, or the beginning of one, but the continuation of one that will bring many good things. Tonight, we’re going to get some rest and then, tomorrow, we will go back to work in whatever capacity we can lead and, most importantly, in whatever way we can best serve Hoosiers.
I offer my congratulations to Senator Braun on his victory and, in a conversation with him this evening, renewed my commitment to support him as our Republican nominee for Governor.”
In a statement from Suzanne Crouch regarding this evening’s election results, Crouch congratulated U.S. Senator Mike Braun on his win.
“Traveling across Indiana and meeting Hoosiers during my run for governor is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she said. “While today’s vote did not give us the victory for which we worked so hard, I am respectful of the outcome and grateful for the opportunity God has given me to meet so many wonderful people. We must come together as a Party and a people to ensure we elect Mike Braun in November. We need bold leadership to reduce the state’s tax burden, help those battling mental illness and addiction, and support our law enforcement professionals. Thank you all very much for your support during this gubernatorial campaign.”
Curtis Hill, Indiana’s former attorney general, also responded to Braun’s win, stating that he is thankful to “all of the proud, conservative Hoosiers who showed up and voted for (his) campaign.”
“In November, Hoosier voters will head to the polls and make their voices heard,” Hill said. “I trust Senator Braun will advocate for a conservative agenda and not succumb to the establishment’s traditional way of doing business.”
In a statement from the Indiana Republican Party, Indiana Republican Chairwoman Anne Hathaway said:
“A lifelong businessman, Mike Braun knows what it takes to be an executive. Having served in both the Statehouse and U.S. Senate, Braun has the policy experience to get things done here in Indiana at the highest level.
“We are excited to work to ensure that a Republican stays in the Governor’s office, and Mike Braun is the candidate to do it. We look forward to securing a resounding Republican victory come November.”
In a statement from the Indiana Democratic Party, officials responded to the Braun win.
“Tonight’s results show it’s clear that Hoosiers want a different, new direction for our state,” Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl said in the statement. “Despite spending over $40 million dollars, the Republican candidates for governor saw historically low turnout in a presidential primary, lower than 2020 and just half the turnout of 2016.”
“Mike Braun’s campaign didn’t inspire Hoosiers and he hardly talked about what a governor actually does, the statement continued. “…Braun is simply too extreme for Indiana. The results tonight couldn’t be more clear. Hoosiers are hungry to vote for someone to change our state for the better. Jennifer McCormick is focused on the issues that everyday Hoosiers face – not the daily D.C. controversy.”