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Holcomb largely dismisses primary election results' impact on his agenda

Brandon Smith
/
IPB News
Many conservative challengers to Republican incumbents this cycle sought to channel anger among some voters over steps the governor took during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect Hoosiers. But most of those challengers failed.

Indiana’s May primary didn’t see a wave of ultra-conservative challengers ousting incumbent state lawmakers, despite a more concerted push on that front this year.

Many conservative challengers to Republican incumbents this cycle sought to channel anger among some voters over steps Gov. Eric Holcomb took during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect Hoosiers. That includes his early “Stay-At-Home” order and his mask mandate.

Most of those challengers failed. But Holcomb was largely dismissive of questions about what those results mean for his standing at the Statehouse.

READ MORE: Only small handful of Statehouse incumbents lose in Indiana primary

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Still, pressed on whether the election bolsters the direction he has taken as governor, Holcomb noted that he faced his own election in 2020 amid that perceived anger over his actions.

“Let’s just review the facts: I ran a race," Holcomb said. "I received more votes than anyone that’s run for governor in the history of this state.”

Holcomb said his focus is on projects that unite Hoosiers, rather than divide people.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2022 IPB News. To see more, visit .

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.