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Holcomb Launches Senate Bid To Replace Coats In 2016

Brandon Smith
/
IPBS

Eric Holcomb steered former Gov. Mitch Daniels’ 2008 reelection campaign, led the Indiana Republican Party and most recently served as State Chief of Staff to Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN).  But Thursday, Holcomb announced a personal first: a run for office:

“And that’s why today, ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud, I’m excited to announced my candidacy for the United States Senate,” Holcomb says.

Despite never serving in elected office, he says he’s not worried about making the jump all the way to a Senate run:

“I’ve been around very successful folks who’ve held office and I’ve helped them all along the way.  So I’ve learned a ton over the years and I want to take what I’ve learned and lead it in Washington, D.C.,” Holcomb says.

Holcomb is the first to join what could be a crowded GOP primary field for Coats’ seat.  Other possible candidates include Congresswomen Susan Brooks (R-5th)  and Jackie Walorski (R-2nd) and Congressmen Todd Young (R-9th), Todd Rokita (R-4th), and Marlin Stutzman (R-3rd). 

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
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