https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/22/mike-braun-likely-running-for-indiana-governor-in-2024-00058350
Indiana Sen. Mike Braun is leaning toward running for governor in 2024, a move that would open up a GOP-held seat in what’s become a reliably red state, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The loquacious first-term senator said on Thursday that he’s not making an official statement at this point.
“Where’d you hear that? I’ll make my mind up here down the road, probably before the end of the year. I’ve been talking about it though since I’ve got here,” Braun said in a brief interview. “I’ll make a formal announcement somewhere probably late November, early December.”
Indy Politics reported on Thursday that Braun is informing Republicans in the state about his plans to run for governor and that he will announce after the midterm election, a move typical of lawmakers who are eyeing new offices. Braun’s office declined further comment.
Should Braun take the plunge, I'd expect a crowded GOP primary for the seat. Don't completely rule out Mike Pence passing on a Presidential bid to return to Indiana and run for Senate either.
For the Democrats, I bet Pete Buttigieg is kicking himself over moving to Michigan right now. Here's a likely open seat, a Democratic Primary field that would clear for him if he ran (which is probably not true in Michigan), and depending on the GOP nominee/political environment, a plausible pickup for Democrats too.
Indiana is now unwinnable for Democrats at the federal level. Even Richard Mourdock would probably win there now. Buttigieg himself is not highly regarded in Indiana, and the only previous time that he ran for statewide office there - in 2010, ironically against Mourdock - he lost by more than 20%. Buttigieg knows that his electoral prospects in his home state are poor, and that is probably a reason why he moved to Michigan, a state where he might have a chance at winning political office.
Agreed with Indiana being unwinnable for Dems at the federal level. Statewide level I’m not so sure a Dem couldn’t win a Governor race under the right circumstances. As for Buttigieg running for something statewide in Michigan, that would be an excellent way to piss away a Senate or Governor seat to Republicans.
