JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — We're nearly a month until election day, and Hoosiers are preparing to vote for its next governor.
As Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) finishes his second and final term in the Republican stronghold state of Indiana, some are projecting the race for his successor could be closer than some may typically expect.
"It's not a long shot anymore. I think it's down to a couple of points," Republican Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore said. "I think if anybody wants to take the state of Indiana for granted and say we're solid red -- watch out on election night because I think Jennifer McCormick is going to give Mike Braun one heck of a race."
Is there a chance the Indiana governor's seat could flip blue for the first time in more than 20 years?
That answer isn't clear, but voters on both sides of the aisle in southern Indiana have taken notice to the running mate on the Democratic ticket, lieutenant governor candidate Terry Goodin -- whose name is well known across the region.
"I live in Austin, [Indiana]. I live on the farm there and raise beef cattle with my twin brother, Jerry," Goodin told WHAS11 in a sit-down interview on Thursday, 33 days ahead of the November election.
Jerry Goodin is the popular sheriff in Scott County, Indiana. Terry is a former Indiana state representative.
"It's very important to support the people who grew up around here because they know the problems that we go through every day," said Jeffersonville voter Katherine McBride.
It's Republican U.S. Senator Mike Braun versus Democrat Jennifer McCormick in the race for governor.
Braun is a businessman by trade, who's served in the Senate since 2019.
McCormick is an educator and former Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction in Indiana before she switched parties.
WHAS11 asked Goodin, a former school superintendent, if there's a focused effort to have a Democratic ticket that appeals to Republicans in a state so red.
"We want to let people know that Indiana has gone in the wrong direction. We really don't feel like Indiana is so red. We think it's a purple state with a voter turnout problem," Goodin answered.
"We've had a lot of moderate Republicans come to us and say, 'Hey listen, I can't put a sign in my yard because my uncle will break my dinner plate, but we're going to vote for you.' And there's a silent majority out there."
WHAS11 tried multiple avenues to reach the Braun for Governor campaign to interview him or his lieutenant governor candidate Micah Beckwith, but didn't get a response.
"I think we've got two very good choices," Moore said. "I don't know who I'm going to vote for."
Instead, WHAS11 talked to Republican Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore for perspective. He saw the economy and education as top issues in this governor's race.
"I really like Braun's conversation on the economy, and getting a hold of inflation," he said. "But I love the motivation behind Jennifer McCormick talking about public schools."
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