Indiana Republican delegates are gearing up for their party convention where they will nominate a candidate for lieutenant governor. This year, the situation is notably unconventional as delegates will have multiple choices to consider.
Traditionally, delegates align with the gubernatorial nominee's selection. Senator Mike Braun has thrown his support behind state Rep. Julie McGuire as his running mate. However, McGuire faces a challenge from ultra-conservative Christian pastor Micah Beckwith.
Senator Braun, who is departing from the U.S. Senate, endorsed McGuire in May following his primary election victory. Former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Braun during his campaign, surprised many by endorsing McGuire just before the convention, underscoring the significance of the lieutenant governor nomination in a state where Trump secured a substantial victory in the 2020 election.
McGuire, hailing from Indianapolis, previously served as a policy analyst for Senate Republicans. Her legislative and policy record, despite her relatively short time in office, has earned her Braun's endorsement. If elected in November, McGuire would join a select group of women who have held the second-highest office in Indiana, a state that has yet to see a female governor.
On the other hand, Beckwith, a former congressional candidate, has actively campaigned for the lieutenant governor position, positioning himself as a political outsider with staunch conservative views on various social issues. He has emphasized his commitment to fiscal responsibility, opposition to certain social initiatives, and a pledge to provide a check on the governor's office.
Delegates have a history of occasionally diverging from party leaders' preferences, as seen in the 2022 election when they elected a different candidate for secretary of state despite Governor Eric Holcomb's endorsement.
Whoever secures the lieutenant governor nomination will join Senator Braun in the race against Democratic nominee Jennifer McCormick, a former state education chief, and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater. The outcome of this election will shape the political landscape in Indiana, where Democrats have not claimed a statewide office since 2012.
