Students and faculty gathered in the Kelley School of Business Graduate Side on Monday, Sept. 14 to show support for Holcomb in his candidacy.
The event was organized by College Republicans at Indiana University, or IUGOP, a student group focused on promoting the ideals of the Republican Party as well as aiding in the election of Republican candidates on the local and national levels.
A United States Navy veteran and former state chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, Holcomb served as campaign manager for Governor Mitch Daniels’ gubernatorial reelection campaign.
Most recently Holcomb served as State Chief of Staff to U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-IN from 2013 to 2015.
Holcomb announced his candidacy in March 2015, shortly after Coats announced that he would not be running for reelection.
After a brief introduction, Holcomb enumerated the ten topics he considered to be most pertinent, including both foreign and domestic issues.
“I’m going to run a positive campaign, “ Holcomb said. “I’m going to talk about what I’m for, not just what I’m against.”
After providing his stance on issues such as foreign policy, domestic spending, infrastructure and veterans’ assistance, Holcomb opened the floor for an informal question and answer session for audience members to express their concerns and ideas.
Throughout his campaign, Holcomb has visited all of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Holcomb is currently racing against Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd District and Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District for the Republican senatorial nomination.
“Putting together a team of individuals from all walks of life and from all counties that are invested in this campaign,” Holcomb said. “It really takes we the people, it takes teamwork and a plan. I have confidence that this is the way we’re going to change things.”
Brian Gamache, junior and IUGOP External Vice-Chairman, helped organize the event.
Gamache said that IUGOP does not endorse any primary candidates, and Stutzman and Young will be coming in to speak in the future.
“At IU, a lot of the time you hear a lot of voices on one side of the issues,” Gamache said. “College Republicans are the voice for the other side of the issues, and we provide a perspective often absent from the campus debate.”
IUGOP is made up of students from a variety of majors and backgrounds, with their constitution serving as the guiding document, Gamache said.
The group is directed by a committee of nine elected individuals, with elections taking place each November.
IUGOP has weekly meetings at 8 p.m. Mondays in the Kelley School of Business Graduate Side room 2061, according to the group’s website.
“The most exciting part about tonight’s event is that a candidate trying to be part of that body is coming to talk to a bunch of 20-somethings,” Gamache said. “Because our vote counts just as much as a businessperson worth millions, and that’s the beauty of democracy.”
