Gov. Eric Holcomb has easily secured a second term in office, winning re-election over challengers Dr. Woody Myers, the Democrat, and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.
Holcomb’s victory marks the fifth straight gubernatorial win for Republicans – Indiana Democrats haven’t won a governor’s race since 2000.
Holcomb, who came into the race as a heavy favorite, was sharply criticized the last few months by those on both his political right and left for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to the renewed focus on racial inequity.
That potentially created an opening, in particular, for Myers – a medical doctor, former state health commissioner and the first Black person to run for governor on a major party ticket in state history.
It also helped boost Rainwater’s campaign, with several polls projecting he would secure a greater percentage of the vote than any Libertarian candidate for governor in Indiana ever has.
But Holcomb looks to win his reelection bid by a comfortable margin.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
