INDIANA, USA — As Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb finishes out the final months of his second term in office leading the Republican stronghold state, some are projecting the race for his successor could be closer than expected.
Three candidates are looking to replace Holcomb: Republican Sen. Mike Braun, Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.
Braun has been Indiana's junior senator since 2019. McCormick was the state superintendent of public instruction from 2017-2021.
Rainwater served eight years in the Navy and has worked over 20 years as a software engineer.
Some of the top issues concerning voters have been school choice, legalizing marijuana, gun laws and affordable housing.
Indiana governor's race results
You can find a county-by-county breakdown of Indiana's votes for governor in the interactive map below.
Meet the Candidates
Jennifer McCormick - Democrat
Formerly a Republican, McCormick served as the former Indiana state schools superintendent. She changed her party affiliation when her term ended in 2021.
McCormick has criticized the GOP-controlled legislature for what she called a lack of support for traditional public schools and for pushing a national conservative agenda on social issues.
She also advocates for responsible gun ownership, reproductive freedom, and legalizing medical marijuana with a pathway to legalizing its use for all adults.
Mike Braun - Republican
Braun, who is endorsed by former president Donald Trump, has served as a United States Senator since 2018. He previously served as a state representative from 2014-2017.
After winning his primary in a crowded field of Republican candidates, Braun told supporters he plans to be the most entrepreneurial and most accessible governor Indiana has ever seen.
Braun has advocated for school choice measures and removing discussions about LGBTQ+ identities from the classroom. He also believes the statewide abortion ban has been settled, saying Indiana is a pro-life state.
Donald Rainwater - Libertarian
Rainwater has run for governor in the past. In 2020, he came in third with just 11.4% of the vote.
His campaign promises to make Indiana's state government smaller, including a four-year budget freeze. He hopes to eliminate the state's individual income tax and personal property tax on residents' primary residence.
Rain water also seeks to reform criminal justice and boost the local economy by decriminalizing and legalizing all forms of marijuana. He also considers himself a "pro-life libertarian."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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