Indiana Republicans have rejected Senator Mike Braun’s choice for lieutenant governor, instead nominating podcasting pastor Micah Beckwith, known for his far-right views, to be Braun’s running mate. Braun had endorsed state Rep. Julie McGuire as his running mate, but party delegates at the state Republican Party convention chose Beckwith with 891 votes, compared to McGuire’s 828 votes. Beckwith, who promotes uncompromising positions on abortion, gender, and sexuality, lobbied delegates for a year to win the nomination.
Braun, who is leaving the U.S. Senate, had announced McGuire as his choice in May after winning the primary election. Former President Donald Trump had endorsed Braun and campaigned on national issues such as immigration. Trump’s surprise endorsement of McGuire ahead of the convention indicated Beckwith’s campaign had some impact. Braun stated that he is in charge and that Beckwith will work with him, emphasizing the importance of their cooperation for a fruitful partnership.
Beckwith, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020, actively campaigned for lieutenant governor, positioning himself as a political outsider with far-right stances on gender, sexuality, and abortion. This nomination sets up a gubernatorial race between Braun and Beckwith against Democratic nominee Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater. The Indiana Republican Party expressed confidence in the statewide ticket, with Beckwith’s nomination and state Attorney General Todd Rokita’s re-nomination, declaring they are ready to win in the November election.
Critics, including Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl, have raised concerns about Beckwith’s nomination, citing his extremism and far-right views as detrimental to Indiana’s future. Schmuhl warned that Beckwith’s positions on cultural issues could negatively impact business, women, families, and the state’s overall trajectory. McGuire, Braun’s initial choice for lieutenant governor, was lauded for her conservative legislative record and policy expertise, despite her relatively short time in office. If elected, she would join a series of women who have held the second-highest office in Indiana. The lieutenant governor plays a ceremonial role in presiding over the Senate and overseeing state agencies.
Delegates at the state convention have shown a willingness to go against leaders’ choices in the past, such as in 2022 when they elected a different candidate for secretary of state despite Governor Eric Holcomb’s endorsement. This year’s decision to nominate Beckwith over McGuire underscores the impact of grassroots campaigning and delegates’ preferences in shaping the Republican ticket for the upcoming election. The contrasting views and backgrounds of Beckwith and McGuire highlight the diversity of opinions within the Republican Party in Indiana and set the stage for a competitive and contentious race for the state’s top offices.
