U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R) won Indiana’s open gubernatorial race.
The Associated Press called the race — declaring Braun the winner — by 7 p.m. Nov. 5, just an hour after polling locations across the state closed. Braun won with 54.6% of the votes, continuing Indiana’s more than 20-year Republican rule.
“I’m gonna make sure that all of us as Hoosiers prosper,” Braun said in his acceptance speech. “I’m gonna do it with everything I’ve learned in the real world, the tutorial of three years being a state rep, six years in the big house, and we’re gonna take Indiana to places we’ve never seen before.”
His career in politics began while serving 10 years on a local school board before becoming an Indiana State Representative from 2014-2017. In 2018, Braun began serving on the U.S. Senate and ranks as one of its most conservative members.
Braun’s campaign for Indiana Governor focused primarily on issues such as improving education, banning Critical Race Theory and discussions about sexual orientation and sexuality in schools, increasing law enforcement salaries and making health care affordable.
As governor, Braun will serve a four-year term, overseeing the management and functions of various agencies within the Indiana State Government, report to and recommend legislation to the General Assembly, review bills passed by the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate and sign legislation into law.
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Braun ran against Democrat Jennifer McCormick, who received 40.7% of votes. McCormick’s campaign vowed to protect reproductive rights, defend public education, support high-wage jobs and unions, and demand responsible tax spending.
Though McCormick did not issue a concession speech until hours after the results were announced, around 10 p.m., she stated she was “confident the sun will come up tomorrow, as it has every day after the other 51 men were elected governor.”
“While tonight’s outcome is disappointing, I know we waged a campaign based on hope and optimism, not one of fear and chaos,” McCormick said in her speech. “I’m so incredibly thankful to the millions of Hoosiers who voted and made their voices heard. … Because of all of you, I remain confident that Hoosier hospitality and ingenuity will ensure that Indiana’s best days remain ahead of us.”
Libertarian Donald Rainwater also ran against Braun, citing reforming and reducing residential and agricultural property tax, abolishing the state personal income tax, strengthening unemployment insurance in Indiana and safeguarding property rights as just a few campaign issues. He received 4.7% of votes.
“As he prepares to take office, ISBA stands ready to help on numerous issues of importance to school board members,” the Indiana State School Board said in a statement concerning Braun’s win. “Above all, we are committed to working with the new administration and the Indiana General Assembly to achieve our common goals on improving education and student success.”
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
