Mike Pence’s selection as Donald Trump’s running mate has created not one but four vacancies on Indiana’s ballot.
In 40 frantic minutes, Governor Pence withdrew from the ballot for governor, followed by three other Hoosier heavyweights quitting their reelection bids so they could run to replace him: Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb, and U-S Representatives Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita.
A fourth announced candidate, House Speaker Brian Bosma, issued a statement saying he won’t run for governor after all. But the field could still grow. Potential candidates who aren’t already on this year’s ballot, such as State Auditor Suzanne Crouch or Indianapolis Senator Jim Merritt, have until three days before the July 26 caucus to file.
The 22-member Republican State Committee will choose the nominee, then meet again August 1 to approve a running mate. Holcomb didn’t say directly whether he’d accept the lieutenant governor slot again — he notes he’s withdrawn, and says he’s focused on the campaign for governor.
Caucuses in Brooks’ and Rokita’s congressional districts will choose new nominees for those seats. Those caucuses are expected to take place after the statewide votes so Brooks or Rokita can seek reinstatement on the ballot if they aren’t nominated for the statewide ticket.
Meanwhile,
Democrat John Gregg’s attacks on Republican Governor Mike Pence have been a central theme of the Gregg campaign. Pence is gone from that race, now. But State Democratic Party Chairman John Zody says Gregg won’t have to change his approach “all that much.” Zody and Indiana House Minority Leader Scott Pelath say Pence policies were supported by the Republicans seeking to become the new GOP nominee. That, says Pelath, makes John Gregg the candidate who can bring needed changes to Indiana and the Governor’s office.
