INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Republican delegates are set to gather Saturday at the party convention to nominate a candidate for lieutenant governor, and in a decidedly unconventional situation they’ll have multiple choices this time.

Traditionally, delegates go along with the gubernatorial nominee’s choice, and Sen. Mike Braun has endorsed state Rep. Julie McGuire to be his running mate. But she is being challenged by an ultra-conservative Christian pastor, Micah Beckwith.

Braun, who is leaving the U.S. Senate, announced his choice in May, a day after winning the primary election with about 40% of the votes. Braun had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and campaigned largely on national issues such as immigration.

Trump made a surprise endorsement Thursday night for McGuire ahead of the convention, indicating Beckwith’s campaign has some teeth. The endorsement is a major win for McGuire in a state where Trump won the 2020 election by 16 points.

McGuire, from Indianapolis, was a policy analyst for Senate Republicans until 2022, when she unseated a representative who had angered other Republicans in part by repeatedly pushing a complete ban on abortion. Indiana’s current law allows exceptions in rare and limited circumstances.

Braun said he selected McGuire for her strongly conservative legislative and policy record despite her short time in office. If ultimately elected by voters in November, she would be the latest in a series of women to reach the second highest office in a state that has never seen a female governor.

The lieutenant governor runs four state agencies, ceremoniously presides over the Senate and would break tie votes there, if that would ever happen in a chamber where the GOP enjoys a supermajority.

Beckwith, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress from central Indiana in 2020, actively campaigned for lieutenant governor for a year, courting delegates months ahead of the convention. He co-hosts a podcast called “Jesus, Sex and Politics,” and is known for his far-right stances on gender, sexuality and abortion. He cast himself as a political outsider who would keep the governor’s office in check, limit property taxes and oppose school efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Delegates sometimes buck their leaders choices: in 2022, they defied Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s backing of the incumbent secretary of state for a second term and instead elected Diego Morales, who went on to win the general election.

Whoever wins this nomination will run with Braun against Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick, a former state education chief, and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater. Democrats haven’t won a statewide office in Indiana since 2012.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Another very warm day was our story in central Indiana with higher humidity values that hung on a bit longer than expected.

We’ll briefly knock the muggy meter down before we usher in the hottest air of the year with very muggy air going into next week.

Friday night: A clear, less humid, and dry night is expected for us. Lows will drop into the low 60s

Saturday: Tomorrow is looking our “coolest” day in this extended forecast. Lots of sunshine and lower humidity values will equal a slightly above normal day with highs in the mid 80s.

Father’s Day: Sunday is where we really crank the heat and humidity up as a strengthening ridge approaches our region. We are expecting our first 90 degree day of the year here in Indy for Sunday with highs in the low 90s.

8-Day Forecast: Sunday will just be the start to a prolonged series of 90 degree days. Matter of fact, dew point values (amount of moisture in the atmosphere) will rise close to or just over 70, which will cause heat index values to be in the triple digits in some spots potentially. Much of next week overall will be sweltering with very low pop-up rain/storm chances. There is even a shot for record high temperatures next Monday and Tuesday.

We could also have a rapid onset of drought due to the high heat and mainly dry conditions. One other thing to note is that the temperatures we are forecasting for next week are not common for June.

Hoosiers could face danger from excessive heat and humidity next week as forecasters are predicting a massive heat wave covering all of Indiana.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued an 8- to 14-day temperature outlook calling for a 90-100% chance of above-normal temperatures beginning Tuesday as the heat covers most of the Great Lakes region.

“Looking ahead, confidence is growing that next week will see the hottest temperatures thus far this year to go along with humid conditions,” the advisory says.

Indianapolis has already seen record-breaking heat this spring and last year was the warmest year recorded in NOAA’s 174-year global climate record “by a long shot.”

NOAA’s chief scientist, Sarah Kapnick, says records will continue to be broken and extreme weather events will grow until emissions are reduced and climate resilience is built.

Indiana will face a major risk of heat-related impacts beginning Monday, according to NWS, which means it can affect “anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.” A rare risk of extreme impacts might hit portions of Northwest and Central Indiana on Tuesday, meaning there could be no overnight relief from the heat.

Current forecast: Central Indiana poised for humid, 90-degree temps this week as first hot swell approaches

How to stay safe during a heat risk

Older Hoosiers and young children are most at risk during extreme heat events. To stay safe and prepared, here’s what the experts suggest:

The American Red Cross

• Stay hydrated and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
• Electric fans may not provide relief, instead take a cooling shower or bath and find an air-conditioned space

The National Weather Service

• Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods like fruits or salad

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
• Head to a public library or other space with air conditioning

What are the signs of heat-related illness?

Three main heat-related illnesses to be on the lookout for are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If any of the following symptoms are evident on you or another person: move to a cooler area, loosen any clothing and sip cool water. Seek a medical professional if any of the symptoms don’t improve within an hour.

Heat cramps may be the first sign of illness that could lead to more serious symptoms. Cramps shows up as painful muscle cramps or spasms along with heavy sweating, according to NWS. Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.

Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. The person’s pulse may be quick but weak and they may exhibit dizziness or nausea. Immediately move the person to an air-conditioned room, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloth to the skin.

Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention, so call 9-1-1- or get the patient to a hospital. Heat stroke can appear as throbbing headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperatures above 103 degrees. The patient’s skin can also appear red with a lack of sweat. This is a serious illness and delays in medical care can be fatal.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.