A day after his decisive victory in the primary, incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike Braun endorsed Indiana Rep. Julie McGuire as his lieutenant governor candidate in the 2024 general election.
“Julie McGuire is a strong conservative who has lived the values of faith, family, and community. Like me, Julie does not come from the farm system of politics. They come from the real world of raising families and solving problems like child services and health freedom,” Brown said in a news release. . “Julie shares my vision of making Indiana a national beacon of freedom and opportunity, and I am proud to have her on the team.”
Brown announced McGuire's pitching for Indianapolis in a roundtable discussion with the Indianapolis Star on Wednesday. In Indiana, delegates to private party conventions decide on the lieutenant governor nomination, along with candidates for other statewide offices such as attorney general.
But McGuire already has competition to be Brown's running mate.
The Rev. Micah Beckwith of Noblesville launched the regular open search for lieutenant governor last summer, a year before the expected convention.
After McGuire's announcement, Beckwith said on social media: Ultimately, it will be up to the elected convention delegates to decide this race, and they will have a say and a choice at the Indiana Republican State Convention, which is exactly how it should be. ”
On Tuesday afternoon, Brown said he liked the “competition” Beckwith presented and would recommend him.
“I think it's best for customers and business to compete, and I think it's the same in politics,” Brown said.
Mr. McGuire is a newcomer to Congress, having only served in Congress twice. She was elected in November 2022 and was running for re-election. That means if she gets a vote in her favor at the Republican convention in June, her position on the ballot will be filled through the caucuses.
This year, she authored one of the bills that became law, House Enrollment Act 1369, which strengthened Indiana's child sexual abuse and rape laws in relation to child abuse and neglect cases. Her biography touts her support for parental rights and the rights of the unborn child. Educational Choice, the Second Amendment, and Law Enforcement for Hoosier Students.
“I bring my perspective as a mother and the experience I gained serving the community from my local church to the state capitol on issues like health freedom, standing up for our children, and lowering health care costs. We are ready for real results Hoosiers,” McGuire said in a news release. “I look forward to working with Mike to win big in November and make the case to Hoosier delegates ahead of the convention that I am the right choice to help turn Indiana into a beacon of freedom and opportunity in America.”
McGuire served as parish business manager at St. Roch Catholic Church for more than 15 years and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University.
After winning Tuesday's six primaries, Brown will face Democrat Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian Donald Rainwater in November. Indiana hasn't elected a Democrat to statewide office in a decade, making Brown more likely to win the governor's race this fall.
Four of Indiana's past five lieutenant governors have been women. The fifth, Eric Holcomb, was the only one to become governor.
Indiana Democrats were quick to point out that earlier this year, McGuire introduced a bill that would kill Indianapolis' Downtown Economic Enhancement District before it even started. She also supported near-total state abortion bans.
“Mike Brown has proven throughout this campaign that he prioritizes MAGA over the entire state of Indiana. The selection of Julie McGuire is just the latest example,” said Indiana Democratic Party Commissioner Mike Schmuhl. the chief said.
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