Trump endorses GOP lieutenant governor candidate in Indiana • Indiana Capital Chronicle – Indiana Capital Chronicle
Rep. Julie McGuire has U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s support to be his running mate in the governor’s race. (Photo from the Indiana House Republicans Flickr)
Former President Donald Trump issued an unexpected endorsement in Indiana’s Republican lieutenant governor race Thursday — backing Rep. Julie McGuire for the nomination.
She is the choice of GOP gubernatorial primary winner U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, a staunch Trump advocate.
The move comes as 1,800 Republican party insiders prepare to choose on Saturday who’s on the ballot for Indiana’s second-highest office. It’s the first competitive lieutenant governor contest in decades.
Delegates have a choice between Christian nationalist and pastor Micah Beckwith — who’s been on the campaign trail for a year since launching an unusually public bid — and McGuire, who’s been on the road for the month since her post-primary campaign launch.
The endorsement from Trump will carry a lot of weight with Indiana Republicans, whose support of the now-convicted felon has remained high in Indiana.
“Julie is a conservative Fighter who will strongly advocate for our Great Farmers and American Agriculture, Support our Military/Veterans, Defend the Second Amendment and Provide our Children with Excellent Education,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Julie McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Delegates traditionally lean more conservative than Republican general election and even primary election voters. And they haven’t always fallen in line with party leadership.
Beckwith has argued that Hoosiers need a check-and-balance on the governor’s office and has referred to McGuire as an establishment choice. McGuire calls herself a policy wonk and defends her strong conservative voting record.
Also at the convention, delegates will nominate Attorney Todd Rokita for re-election. He is running unopposed.
The Indianapolis Star also reported Thursday that current Gov. Eric Holcomb will not attend this weekend’s convention.
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by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle
June 13, 2024
by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle
June 13, 2024
Former President Donald Trump issued an unexpected endorsement in Indiana’s Republican lieutenant governor race Thursday — backing Rep. Julie McGuire for the nomination.
She is the choice of GOP gubernatorial primary winner U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, a staunch Trump advocate.
The move comes as 1,800 Republican party insiders prepare to choose on Saturday who’s on the ballot for Indiana’s second-highest office. It’s the first competitive lieutenant governor contest in decades.
Delegates have a choice between Christian nationalist and pastor Micah Beckwith — who’s been on the campaign trail for a year since launching an unusually public bid — and McGuire, who’s been on the road for the month since her post-primary campaign launch.
The endorsement from Trump will carry a lot of weight with Indiana Republicans, whose support of the now-convicted felon has remained high in Indiana.
“Julie is a conservative Fighter who will strongly advocate for our Great Farmers and American Agriculture, Support our Military/Veterans, Defend the Second Amendment and Provide our Children with Excellent Education,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “Julie McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Delegates traditionally lean more conservative than Republican general election and even primary election voters. And they haven’t always fallen in line with party leadership.
Beckwith has argued that Hoosiers need a check-and-balance on the governor’s office and has referred to McGuire as an establishment choice. McGuire calls herself a policy wonk and defends her strong conservative voting record.
Also at the convention, delegates will nominate Attorney Todd Rokita for re-election. He is running unopposed.
The Indianapolis Star also reported Thursday that current Gov. Eric Holcomb will not attend this weekend’s convention.
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Niki has covered the Indiana Statehouse since 1999 – including five governors. She has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists and Hoosier State Press Association for stories on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, criminal justice issues and more. She also is a regular on Indiana Week in Review, a weekly public television rundown of news. She shifts her career to helm a staff of three and ensure Hoosiers know what’s really happening on the state level.
Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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© Indiana Capital Chronicle, 2024
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The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.
We’re part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.
© Indiana Capital Chronicle, 2024