INDIANA, USA — Indiana will remain a Republican stronghold.
On Tuesday, Hoosiers chose Republican Sen. Mike Braun to serve as Indiana’s next governor. His running mate, Micah Beckwith has also been elected to serve as lieutenant governor.
Braun, a one-term senator, has served in the U.S Congress since 2018 and was endorsed by former president Donald Trump.
The Associated Press called the race for Braun just after 7 p.m.
Braun's campaign focused on high healthcare costs and property taxes, as well as criticizing the federal government on southern border policy. He also advocated for school choice measures and removing discussions about LGBTQ+ identities from the classroom.
Live election result map for 2024 Indiana governor’s race:
Braun handily won his primary in May with nearly 40% of the votes in a crowded race.
The last weeks of the race were complicated for his campaign, however, in part due to his running mate’s brand of conservatism, which forced him to discuss Beckwith’s views.
Beckwith, a pastor and self-proclaimed Christian nationalist who finessed his way onto the ballot, he has declared that God sent the people who rioted at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and said his Democratic opponents have a “Jezebel spirit.”
Beckwith was also seen on video at a local GOP meeting saying he would fire any government employee who lists their pronouns in emails, which Braun had to denounce.
A doctored image in an ad against one of Braun’s opponents also drew negative attention.
Two other candidates were vying to be the state’s next governor, including Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.
A Democrat hasn’t held a statewide office in Indiana since 2012.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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