Crouch Joins The GOP Ticket As Candidate For Lieutenant Governor

INDIANAPOLIS — State Auditor Suzanne Crouch pointed out one major difference in the dynamic between the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates and their running mates.

“We’re taller,” Crouch, who is 5 feet and 11 inches tall, joked.

The Indiana Republican State Committee voted Monday to officially make Crouch the party’s candidate for lieutenant governor. On Friday, Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is running for governor, announced he wanted Crouch to join the ticket.

“Suzanne brings experience from local and state government at the legislative and executive levels, has a strong record and has served Indiana for many years,” said Jeff Cardwell, Indiana State Republican chairman. “She is passionate about serving Hoosiers and will be an excellent partner in the Statehouse with Eric Holcomb.”

Holcomb and Crouch addressed Hoosiers Monday with their plans for Indiana as governor and lieutenant governor.

“As more and more people dial into this election, I want them to know this — Suzanne and I are prepared to continue building and growing Indiana,” Holcomb said. “We are prepared to continue balancing budgets, keeping taxes low, regulations reasonable, investing in our schools and our children and our infrastructure — quite simply in our futures. The Holcomb-Crouch ticket is prepared to move Indiana forward and to the next level.”

Holcomb said she brings it all to the table. With four positions in local and state government, he said Crouch has the experience needed to fulfill the job as lieutenant governor.

“She’s extremely capable, well liked and respected, and by the way, a relentless campaigner for good government,” Holcomb said. “But most importantly, and I want to really stress this — most importantly, there is no doubt in my mind she can assume the duties as governor if called upon.”

Crouch credited the values and principles instilled in her by her parents for her success in the state of Indiana.

“They raised me to believe that it took hard work to get ahead, and they instilled in me a strong sense of personal responsibility, but to regularly accept that I had a responsibly to serve others who were less fortunate,” Crouch said.

With less than 100 days until Election Day, Holcomb and Crouch are hitting the ground running. Holcomb said he feels confident that his campaign is financially resourced, but did not comment on whether he will receive a portion of Gov. Mike Pence’s campaign funds.

Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody said Hoosier Republicans had a chance to turn the party around following Pence’s “failed record,” but instead chose to go “all in.”

“Both Holcomb and Crouch were handpicked by Mike Pence for their current positions, and both were witness to Mike Pence’s out-of-touch record,” Zody said. “They chose to remain silent while Indiana’s economy and reputations were placed in jeopardy. The Republican Party reaffirmed their support for this failed economic agenda – one which Hoosiers were already planning to dismiss this November. The names on the ballot may have changed, but sadly Holcomb and Crouch are just more of the same.”

Neither Holcomb nor Crouch plan to resign. They said they will continue to fulfill their roles as lieutenant governor and state auditor, while also accompanying each other on the campaign trail over the next three months.

Shelby Mullis is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.