Republican Mike Braun declared winner of Indiana governor race
Republican Mike Braun has been declared the winner of the Indiana governor's race. The former U.S. Senator is the latest GOP executive for the Hoosier State.
Republican Mike Braun has won the Indiana governor's race.
Braun, who left a U.S. Senate seat to run for governor, had about 58% of the votes when the Associated Press declared the winner at 7 p.m. with about 12% of the votes counted. Democrat Jennifer McCormick had about 38% of the votes and Libertarian Donald Rainwater had 4%. The former GOP senator will replace Gov. Eric Holcomb who completed two terms.
The race has been thought of as Braun's to lose. Indiana hasn't elected a Democrat to the position in more than two decades. The state is heavily rural and conservative.
Braun faced a unique set of challenges that made the race less straightforward for him. His running mate Micah Beckwith has dominated the news cycle ― and Democrat talking points ― with his divisive comments about women, pronouns and immigrants. Meanwhile, his Democratic opponents included a former Republican in McCormick and a rural farmer in former state Rep. Terry Goodin.
Live Indiana Governor election results
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @kayla_dwyer17.