Indiana GOP primary to set off massive leadership shakeup in Hoosier state

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Washington Examiner

In deep-red Indiana, where the top offices are held by Republican politicians, this election cycle is set to bring a new wave of leadership from the governor’s mansion to the halls of Congress.

Voters in Indiana will head to the polls on Tuesday to participate in their primaries, which will include a six-way primary for governor and crowded races for several open congressional seats, in what has become a game of political musical chairs. The number of open races has driven a historic number of GOP contenders.

 

“In recent political memory, it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis.

“Quite frankly, it’s good for the political parties too because they are looking to develop deep benches for future opportunities. So, I think it is to our advantage as a democracy to have so many candidates seeking election,” she added in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

By November, more than half of the Hoosier State’s congressional delegation could be brand new after Reps. Larry Buschon (R-IN) in the 8th Congressional District and Greg Pence (R-IN) in the 6th District are retiring and Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) in the 3rd District is set to succeed Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) in the upper chamber, who is running for governor. In addition, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), in the 5th District, appears to be vulnerable after initially making an announcement that she wouldn’t seek reelection but then reversed that decision ahead of the filing deadlines. Here are all the races to watch.

Outside groups have targeted Indiana races with so much cash that three of the federal primary races have become some of the most expensive contests nationwide.

 

“In recent political memory, it’s unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, an associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis.

“Quite frankly, it’s good for the political parties too because they are looking to develop deep benches for future opportunities. So, I think it is to our advantage as a democracy to have so many candidates seeking election,” she added in an interview with the Washington Examiner.

By November, more than half of the Hoosier State’s congressional delegation could be brand new after Reps. Larry Buschon (R-IN) in the 8th Congressional District and Greg Pence (R-IN) in the 6th District are retiring and Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) in the 3rd District is set to succeed Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) in the upper chamber, who is running for governor. In addition, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), in the 5th District, appears to be vulnerable after initially making an announcement that she wouldn’t seek reelection but then reversed that decision ahead of the filing deadlines. Here are all the races to watch.

Outside groups have targeted Indiana races with so much cash that three of the federal primary races have become some of the most expensive contests nationwide.

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Indiana primary election: Five things to watch Tuesday in major races

Open seats in both Congress and the governor’s mansion don’t come around too often — and multiple vacancies in the Hoosier State have drawn a record number of GOP contenders and outside money in the primary coming up on Tuesday.

By November, more than half of Indiana’s congressional delegation could be brand new after vacancies in the 3rd, 6th, and 8th Districts have drawn multiple contenders. One of the most competitive races is playing out in the 5th District after Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) reversed her decision and filed to run for reelection. However, by then, at least seven other Republicans had already filed to run for her seat.

Six Republicans are facing off to be the Republican nominee for governor, as Gov. Eric Holcomb (R-IN) is term-limited after serving eight years in office. The state has now seen a record-breaking $98 million spent ahead of the primaries, according to AdImpact. About 46% of that cash has been spent on Indiana’s gubernatorial primary, while 49% has been spent on House and down-ballot racess.

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Trump-backed Braun declared winner in Indiana GOP governor's primary

Braun easily beat a field of five other candidates in the statewide primary election.

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WARNING SIGN Nikki Haley Pulls 22% In Indiana Primary Despite Having Dropped Ouf Of Race

Donald Trump faced warning signs in Indiana on Tuesday as more than 128,000 voters in the Republican primary chose to cast ballots for another candidate despite him being the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and having no opponents in the race