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.

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.

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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.

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.