Republican Steve Braun Suspends 5th District Campaign

Steve Braun, brother of U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, is suspending his campaign for the 5^th District Congressional seat because of an unspecified health issue.

In a written statement Monday, Braun says he is “both frustrated and disappointed” to suspend his campaign.  The Republican filed his paperwork to run in 2020 in August.

Braun did not name his health issue in his statement and his campaign did not give any more details. The campaign has also not said when, or if, Braun will return.

“Families across the country face unexpected circumstances every day,” Braun writes,  “but this challenge just happened to confront me and my family as we were launching a campaign for Congress. Nevertheless, my health and family are my priorities, and they will be my focus in the months ahead.”

Four other Republicans and two Democrats have filed to run for the 5^th District seat, where incumbent Republican Susan Brooks is not running for re-election.

This is Braun’s second run for Congress.  He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 4^th District in 2018.