INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana Republican leaders selected Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb on Tuesday to replace Gov. Mike Pence on the November ballot, backing the governor’s preferred successor over two members of Congress who also sought the nomination when Pence withdrew to become Donald Trump’s running mate.
After a private meeting, the 22-member Indiana Republican state committee announced it had decided Holcomb was best positioned to retain the governor’s office. He’ll face a tough fall matchup against Democrat John Gregg, a former Indiana House speaker who narrowly lost to Pence in the 2012 election.
Holcomb, a 48-year-old former state Republican chairman who has never been elected to office, has touted his eight years as a top aide and campaign manager to former Gov. Mitch Daniels and four months as lieutenant governor.
Pence picked Holcomb after his 2012 running mate, Sue Ellspermann, resigned in March, and endorsed him for governor last week.
U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita also sought the GOP nomination. Brooks touted the endorsement of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who Trump also considered as a vice presidential nominee before opting for Pence.