Nov 22, 2022 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Jim Banks eyes Senate bid

Andrew Solender

Jim Banks arrives for the House Republicans leadership elections in the Capitol Visitor Center on Tuesday, November 15. — Rep. Jim Banks at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is considering a run for U.S. Senate after failing to secure a House Republican leadership position, Axios has learned.

Driving the news: Banks' spokesperson Buckley Carlson told Axios in a statement. "He will strongly consider it if Sen. [Mike] Braun runs for governor in 2024."

Banks' interest in the seat was first reported by IndyPolitics, an Indiana political news website, which also reported that Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) is looking at a run.
Braun (R-Ind.) has been telling associates he plans to run for governor but has yet to make an official announcement, Politico reported in September.

The backdrop: Banks, the outgoing chair of the powerful Republican Study Committee, narrowly lost the race for House GOP whip last week.

After finishing first among three candidates on the first ballot, Banks fell short by 9 votes in a head-to-head with National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
The three-term Afghanistan veteran has emerged as a conservative rising star. His appointment by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy last year to serve on the Jan. 6 select committee was blocked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

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Rep. Jim Banks eyes Senate bid

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