Lana Keesling endorsed by Gov. Braun for Indiana Republican Party chair

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) – Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced Monday he will endorse Fort Wayne City Clerk Lana Keesling to serve as chairwoman of the Indiana Republican Party.

According to an article from Indiana Capitol Chronicle, the state committee must officially elect Keesling. She would be the fourth GOP state chair in the last two years.

Keesling in 2015 became the first Republican city clerk of Fort Wayne since 1971. She currently serves as vice chair of the Allen County Republican Party and treasurer of the 3rd District Republican Congressional Committee, said the article from the Indiana Capitol Chronicle.

“Lana Keesling’s experience as a county party leader and elected official gives her a deep understanding of what local organizations need to grow and succeed,” Braun said in a press release. “She will be a strong partner for grassroots leaders and elected Republicans in Indianapolis and Washington, working to improve the Indiana Republican Party’s technology, organization, and communication efforts.”

Mike Wolf, acting director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, weighed in on this endorsement.

“I think it means a lot to the Allen County Republican Party, which has had some great success,” said Wolf. “Both in the state legislative elections and then U.S. Senator and other things, it shows the stability of leadership.”

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Randy Head resigned in December after five months in the role, said the article from the Indiana Capitol Chronicle.

Voting for the remainder of the term will happen in mid-February and for the full term in mid-March.

WANE 15 has reached out to both Governor Braun’s office and Keesling for comment, but has yet to hear back at the time of publication.

Allen County has another political leader running at the state level, Derek Camp, who announced last week he will run for Indiana Democratic Party Chair. He was the Allen County Democratic Party Chair for four years.