Republican Mike Braun wins Indiana governor's race
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Republican Mike Braun has fended off challenges from the left and right to win the Indiana governor's race, the Associated Press reports.
Why it matters: Braun's victory begins the third decade of Republican rule in Indiana and installs controversial figure Micah Beckwith in the lieutenant governor's office.
Context: Cook Political Report, a top election forecaster, switched its ranking for the race from "solid" to "likely" a win for Republicans last month as Democrat Jennifer McCormick, a former Republican superintendent of public instruction, made inroads with the help of a cash infusion from the Democratic Governor's Association.
- Braun was also hampered by Libertarian Donald Rainwater, who attempted to appeal to voters on the right, and off-message comments from Beckwith.
Catch up quick: Braun, 70, is a businessman from Jasper.
- He made a political name for himself in 2018 when he ran against higher-profile candidates to win a seat in the U.S. Senate.
What he's saying: "When you're an entrepreneur by trade … you know how to pick the best fork in the road," Braun said. "To me, it was coming back to lead our state, where you can set the agenda, where you're going to get along with the legislature. Imagine what you can do with that."
The other side: In a statement, McCormick said her campaign was "based on hope and optimism" rather than "fear and chaos."
- "I remain confident that Hoosier hospitality and ingenuity will ensure that Indiana's best days remain ahead of us," McCormick said. "Simply put, Hoosiers define the Hoosier state, not the governor. For now, I'm confident the sun will come up tomorrow, as it has every day after the other 51 men were elected governor."
Go deeper: Republican Jim Banks wins Indiana's U.S. Senate seat
Editor's note: This is a developing story.