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Indiana election results: Sen. Mike Braun wins GOP gubernatorial primary – Washington Examiner

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Indiana election results: Sen. Mike Braun wins GOP gubernatorial primary – Washington Examiner


Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) won a Republican primary to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb in the Indiana governor’s mansion, breaking through a crowded six-way race that caused a record amount of spending and blanketed the state in ads.

The Associated Press called the race for Braun at 7 p.m. Eastern when all the polls closed statewide.

Braun’s close allegiance to former President Donald Trump helped fuel his Senate win in 2018 and gave him statewide name recognition in this contest. Trump gave Braun his endorsement in the gubernatorial race last November. 

The one-term senator and former businessman faced competition from a crowded field that included former state Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, businessman Eric Doden, former state Attorney General Curtis Hill, and conservative activist Jamie Reitenour.

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While there were limited polling numbers, Braun had consistently led his closest opponent by 20 to 30 percentage points. He will now face former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick, who is the only Democratic candidate. Indiana hasn’t elected a Democrat to any statewide office in 12 years.

The six Republicans spent about $40 million, a record amount of campaign spending in an Indiana primary. Braun spent $6 million in the first three months of the year. Crouch, Chambers, and Doden spent $14 million together. 

Braun spent more than a decade in elected office, serving in the local school board, as a state legislator and then a U.S. senator. However, he focused his campaign on the auto parts business he ran for 37 years, utilizing his private sector experience.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

On Capitol Hill, Braun made his name as a fiscal hawk and as a member of the unofficial “Breakfast Club,” a group of senators consistently a thorn in the side of Senate GOP leadership. The group continues to be outspoken about prioritizing cutting government spending and border security.

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Braun will likely be replaced by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) after Braun announced he would run for governor. The Indiana congressman will face either psychologist Valerie McCray or former state representative Marc Carmichael in the general election to replace Braun. The non-partisan Cook Political Report ranks the seat as Solid Republican.



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Young male dead after shooting on Indy’s northeast side

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Young male dead after shooting on Indy’s northeast side


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Police say one “young man” is dead after a shooting at the 1200 block of Rue Rabelais at about 7:19 p.m. according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

That is near the intersection of 56th Street and Binford Boulevard.

Police say the victim was taken to Riley Hospital where he later died. Investigators say they are still working to identify the victim.

There was no known information about a suspect. Police did say that they believe this is a targeted incident.

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There was no other information immediately available.

This story has been updated with information from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.



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Mother and boyfriend accused in death of 4-year-old boy found in closet

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Mother and boyfriend accused in death of 4-year-old boy found in closet


This story contains descriptions of distressing circumstances involving children.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A mother and her boyfriend were accused of causing the death of a 4-year-old-boy found dead in a basement closet on Monday. 

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrested Angel Lovely, 37, and Nicholas Bergdoll, 36, on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent causing death. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office by Friday had not filed formal charges. 

A sibling found the 4-year-old dead on Monday, according to investigators. Lovely and Bergdoll were in the home at the time but told police they were asleep when he died. 

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Born premature with cerebral palsy, the 4-year old couldn’t walk, was nonverbal, and ate through a feeding tube. Lovely claimed she would rarely put the child in the closet, only “when he won’t stop screaming” or when she “needed a break.” 

But when investigators interviewed Lovely’s three other children, they said that the boy “stays in the closet all day,” and that “mom locks him in the closet” and “does not pay attention to him.” 

An exact cause of death hasn’t been determined, but the child was found with blood in his mouth. Lovely said he’d been aspirating.

One of Lovely’s children told investigators they heard the 4-year-old gagging but didn’t say anything because it wasn’t unusual.

A neighbor living on Monticello Drive, Michelle Johnson, told News 8, “It’s horrible. It breaks my heart.”  

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Johnson had seen the other children outside the home but never knew there was a boy in a wheelchair living there. She said if she suspected they were being neglected, she would have called police or the Indiana Department of Child Services.

“We’re supposed to be a village and raise kids together,” Johnson said. “That’s really heartbreaking.” 

Bergdoll told police, according to the investigators’ report, that he didn’t agree with putting the child in the closet: “I am not going to tell her how to f****** raise her kids.” 

“I’m sickened,” IMPD Public Information Officer Tommy Thompson told News 8 in an interview.
“Think about putting yourself in that situation. Every day, do you want to be in a closet? Locked up, no light?”

Court records show the Department of Child Services had removed the boy from Lovely’s care because of medical neglect, but she regained custody last year against DCS recommendations.  

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Thompson, the neighbor, hopes the tragedy can be an opportunity for others to speak up when they see a child who can’t speak up for themselves. “Maybe you’ve got to make that tough phone call. Reach out. The city has resources.”

Johnson wishes she would have known what was happening so she could have said something. “Children don’t have a voice and we’re supposed to be their voice.”

Help is available for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Below is a list of suggested resources, both national and local:



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Police arrest suspect in Westfield homicide

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Police arrest suspect in Westfield homicide


WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Police have arrested someone in connection to a homicide earlier this month in the Hamilton County city.

In a Friday night social media post, the Westfield Police Department announced the arrest but gave no details, including who was arrested or what preliminary charges the person may face.

“Due to the active nature of this case, limited details are available for release at this time,” the post said.

As WISHTV.com previously reported, James “Matt” Lushin, 47, was found dead shortly after 7:25 p.m. March 12 with trauma at his home in the 3900 block of Westfield Road, also known as State Road 32.

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Social media posts from the scene showed police tape and emergency vehicles at a red brick house between Shady Nook Road and Gray Road.

Lushin’s obituary said the Kokomo native was a key partner with the real estate investment company, FLF Property. The obituary also said, “Matt was also a respected and accomplished member of the international poker community. He traveled the world competing in tournaments and built an impressive and successful career.”

Police have previously said the death was believed to be isolated, posing no ongoing threat.

Officials have not released a specific cause or manner of death.

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