Indiana Democrats have their first official candidate for governor in the 2020 cycle.
Former State Health Commissioner and health care executive Woody Myers announced his bid Wednesday.
Myers, a physician, has only run for public office once before – for Congress, in 2008 – and never a statewide campaign. But he says he’s not worried whether he has the experience necessary for a gubernatorial bid.
“I’ve been a businessman; I’ve been involved in politics. I am a physician; I’ve been in state government, in the public sector," Myers says. "I’ve been in the private sector; I’ve been in the not-for-profit sector.”
Still, Myers also hints that not spending a career in politics could be an asset.
“I’m running for governor because Indiana has too many pre-existing conditions that typical politicians just can’t treat,” Myers says.
Among the issues Myers cites: inadequate teacher pay and education funding, poor maternal and infant mortality rates, and rising health care costs.
Gov. Eric Holcomb (R-Ind.) is expected to officially launch his re-election bid Saturday.