Holcomb Says His Focus Will Be Economic Issues

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Republican Party’s state committee Tuesday chose Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb as the party’s new candidate for governor. 

The 22 members of the Indiana GOP state committee emerged from a nearly three hour, closed door meeting to reveal Holcomb as their new standard-bearer. The lieutenant governor beat out U.S. Representatives Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita and State Senator Jim Tomes.

Holcomb, who’s expected to get the bulk of Gov. Mike Pence’s gubernatorial campaign funds, said his party is unified.

“I’m going to focus on economic development, community development and making sure that state government provides high quality, good state service,” he said.

Holcomb said his attention immediately turns to choosing a running mate, which the GOP state committee will officially nominate next week.

“Someone who’s going to be tenacious out on the trail, helping spread of the word of good, conservative government,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb said he will consider anyone, including the candidates he beat for the gubernatorial nomination. Both Brooks and Rokita say they’d like to return to running for their House seats.