Current Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann has announced she won’t seek re-election for the position under Gov. Mike Pence.
Pence announced his new running mate will be Eric Holcomb, former Chief of Staff for Sen. Dan Coats and former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Ellspermann applied to become the president of the Ivy Tech system.
However, the Ivy Tech Board of Trustees isn’t expected to make their final decision until April.
To add, Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma didn’t want to call a special session of the Indiana House to confirm a replacement.
Ellspermann announced her resignation Tuesday during a joint press conference with Pence and Holcomb.
This will ease the transition if Holcomb can be confirmed before the legislature adjourns on March 14.
Holcomb, who dropped out of the Indiana Republican Senate Primary on Monday, will also run alongside Governor Pence in the 2016 gubernatorial election.
This is a wonderful selection by Pence. Holcomb has a proven track record for attaining results.
As a former chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, Holcomb understands Hoosiers and their problems.
As Chief of Staff for Coats, Holcomb had a strong presence around the state, where he understood how Coats could best serve the citizens of Indiana.
He also worked under former Gov. Daniels, as Deputy Chief of Staff.
During his tenure, he helped Daniels make key budgetary changes, and helped the governor spur economic development across the state.
He managed Daniels’ 2008 reelection campaign, which saw Daniels defeat his opponent Jill Long Thompson by 17.7 percent.
He is also a member of the Indiana Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business, the Indianapolis WWII Round Table and the American Legion.
Holcomb is also a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served overseas.
Holcomb knows the state like the back of his hand. He was born in Indiana and lived here his entire life, except for his service in the Navy.
Add this to his experience in this state’s politics, and you have a candidate with the experience, success, and a record of public service.
This is exactly what I’d want in a replacement for Ellspermann.
Having met both Ellspermann and Holcomb, I believe Holcomb has the personality traits for the job.
As the Indiana Republican Party enters a crucial year, I believe this is a political masterstroke from Pence. I believe his selection of Holcomb will pay dividends come November.
By choosing someone with Holcomb’s knowledge of Indiana politics, Pence adds to his knowledge and personal history of representing Hoosiers on a national and state level.
Pence and Holcomb knew each other before they entered politics, having been fraternity brothers during their time at Hanover College.
Hopefully, their long friendship will lead to better relations and move the state of Indiana forward in 2016 and beyond.
staranyi@indiana.edu
