Live election blog: Braun wins governor’s race; Trump takes Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Polls closed at 6 p.m. in central Indiana, and the candidates and the voters were poised to learn who will be Indiana’s next governor and attorney general, and the state’s next U.S. senator and U.S. representatives.
Former President Donald Trump won Indiana, but the presidential results remained uncertain at 11 p.m. Wednesday.
As of 11 p.m., AP had yet to call the Indiana 1st Congressional District election of Democrat Frank Mrvan vs. Republican Randy Niemeyer. Mrvan, the incumbent, was seeking his third term in office.
Running election results, as they are provided from Indiana counties, are available at WISHTV.com and on the lower portion of the screen on WISH-TV during newscasts.
11:42 p.m.
Vigo County on Tuesday had its near-perfect record of picking U.S. presidents on the line.
Former President Donald Trump led Vice President Kamala Harris 58%-40% with about 87% of the ballots counted Tuesday night.
10:18 p.m.
Jennifer McCormick, Democrat candidate for governor, shared a statement.
“A few minutes ago, I called the Governor-elect and congratulated him. While tonight’s outcome is disappointing, I know we waged a campaign based on hope and optimism, not one of fear and chaos. I’m so incredibly thankful to the millions of Hoosiers who voted and made their voices heard. Thank you to our supporters and volunteers for their energy and enthusiasm. Because of all of you, I remain confident that Hoosier hospitality and ingenuity will ensure that Indiana’s best days remain ahead of us. Simply put, Hoosiers define the Hoosier State, not the Governor. For now, I’m confident the sun will come up tomorrow, as it has every day after the other 51 men were elected governor. Thank you so much, and God bless the great state of Indiana.”
10:17 p.m.
Republican Rep. Erin Houchin won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. The first-term conservative defeated Timothy Peck, an emergency room physician who has created three mission-based health technology companies. Houchin campaigned on securing the U.S.-Mexico border, support for Israel, cutting federal spending, opposing abortion rights, promoting the Parents Bill of Rights on education and more. Peck ran on simplifying health care and making it more accessible, abortion rights, securing the border by providing not only more border agents, but immigration judges and asylum officers, and more. The Associated Press declared Houchin the winner at 10:17 p.m. EST.
10:02 p.m.
A statement from Rep. André Carson, a Democrat who serves Indiana’s 7th Congressional District, which includes Indianapolis:
”I’m honored to have received the people’s support to continue serving as Congressman for Indiana’s 7th District. In Congress, I’ve helped bring positive change to our community: Capping the price of insulin at $35 a month for those on Medicare. Securing historic levels of funding to our roads, streets, and water systems. Expanding healthcare to millions of Americans.
“Our work so far has made an impact—and yet of course, there is so much still to do.
“No matter what, I will always be fighting for you: the people. We must fight far-right extremism and get back to the basics of what’s best for everyday families.
“Thank you to #TeamCarson and all the voters and volunteers who made today possible. I’ll keep fighting for all Hoosiers, working to lower the cost of everyday items, strengthen our national security, and shape a future where everyone has equal opportunity to succeed.”
9:13 p.m.
Republican Rep. Rudy Yakym won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. The first-term incumbent defeated Democrat Lori Camp, a diving coach and IT professional. Yakym was elected in 2022 to replace Jackie Walorski, who died in a car crash earlier that year. Yakym is a conservative who pledged to work on “shrinking the bloated federal bureaucracy” and otherwise limiting the government’s reach. Camp had pledged to work to restore abortion rights, and she blamed Republicans for opposing bipartisan immigration legislation. The Associated Press declared Yakym the winner at 9:13 p.m. EST.
9:10 p.m.
Todd Rokita (R) wins reelection as Indiana Attorney General, AP projects.
9:06 p.m.
Democratic Rep. Andre Carson won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. Carson has served since winning a 2008 special election to succeed his late grandmother. He defeated Republican John Schmitz in the 7th District, which includes much of Indianapolis. A senior House Intelligence Committee member, Carson was intimately involved in the first open hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon in a half-century. He is one of three Muslims in Congress. Schmitz proposed lowering the price of gas by opening pipelines shuttered by the current administration, buying more Canadian oil, suspending gasoline taxes for a year, and more. The Associated Press declared Carson the winner at 9:06 p.m. EST.
9:03 p.m.
Marion County said it recorded 191,580 Election Day in-person ballots, 133,727 in-person early voters, 28,846 mail-in ballots, and 3,065 ballots collected from military, overseas, and homebound voters. The in-person voting tally set a record, Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell said.
9:40 p.m.
- Indiana governor: With 66% of precincts reporting, Mike Braun has 55% of the vote and is projected by AP to win
- Indiana attorney general: With 62% of precincts reporting: Todd Rokita leads with 59% and is projected to win.
- U.S. senator for Indiana: With 65% of precincts reporting: Jim Banks has 59% of the vote and is projected to win Indiana.
- President (Indiana votes only): With 67% of precincts reporting: Donald Trump had 59% and is projected to win Indiana.
- More results
8:44 p.m.
Republican Rep. James Baird won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. Baird, a decorated Army veteran who lost an arm during the Vietnam War, won his fourth term in the House. He defeated Democrat Derrick Holder, a Marine Corps veteran. Baird, who owns a farming operation and two other small businesses, joined dozens of other Republicans in signing a brief in Texas’ lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results and has voted to support Israel. Holder campaigned on support for health care access, veterans’ affairs, agriculture and increased education funding, particularly for infrastructure. The Associated Press declared Baird the winner at 8:48 p.m. EST.
8:37 p.m.
Republican Jefferson Shreve won election to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. Shreve, a former member of the Indianapolis City Council who was defeated in the city’s mayoral election last year, defeated teacher Cynthia Wirth, a Democrat. Wirth unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2022 against Republican incumbent Rep. Greg Pence, the older brother of former Vice President Mike Pence. Greg Pence chose not to seek a fourth term. Shreve campaigned on a platform of finishing the U.S.-Mexican border wall to stem illegal migration and said excessive federal spending is driving inflation. The Associated Press declared Shreve the winner at 8:37 p.m. EST.
8:33 p.m.
Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. Spartz won a third term over Democrat Deborah Pickett. A certified public accountant, Spartz is a fiscal conservative who believes federal spending should be cut. Spartz, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine 20 years ago, said she believes the country’s current immigration process is “too expensive and bureaucratic.” Pickett campaigned on holding elected leaders accountable, fully funding social services, protecting natural resources, and properly funding, equipping and training the military. The Associated Press declared Spartz the winner at 8:33 p.m. EST.
8:29 p.m.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shared a congratulations message with the projected winner of Tuesday’s governor race, Mike Braun: “It’s been an honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve 6.8 million Hoosiers over these last eight years. Congratulations to Governor-Elect Braun on this same opportunity to lead our state next as Indiana’s 52nd Governor. As we run through the tape during the months of my term, our Administration, like all those before me, will provide the support Governor-Elect Braun needs to ensure a smooth transition for our great State and most importantly the citizens that call Indiana home.”
8:25 p.m.
- Indiana governor: With 35% of precincts reporting, Mike Braun has 58% of the vote and is projected by AP to win
- Indiana attorney general: With 32% of precincts reporting: Todd Rokita leads with 63%.
- U.S. senator for Indiana: With 36% of precincts reporting: Jim Banks has 64% of the vote and is projected to win Indiana.
- President (Indiana votes only): With 38% of precincts reporting: Donald Trump had 63% and is projected to win Indiana.
- More results
7:45 p.m.
- Indiana governor: With 19% of precincts reporting, Mike Braun has 59% of the vote and is projected by AP to win
- Indiana attorney general: With 18% of precincts reporting: Todd Rokita leads with 64%.
- U.S. senator for Indiana: With 22% of precincts reporting: Jim Banks has 63% of the vote and is projected to win Indiana.
- President (Indiana votes only): With 22% of precincts reporting: Donald Trump had 63% and is projected to win Indiana.
- More results
7:42 p.m.
Republican Marlin Stutzman won election to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. Stutzman, who previously held the seat from 2010 to 2017, reclaimed it with a win over educator and nonprofit executive Kiley Adolph, a Democrat. Stutzman succeeds Rep. Jim Banks, who was the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in Indiana. Stutzman, who owns a farming operation and trucking company, called for reining in federal spending, which he said is driving up inflation. On immigration, he wants the U.S.-Mexico border wall completed and he supports abolishing the U.S. Education Department. The Associated Press declared Stutzman the winner at 7:41 p.m. EST.
7:06 p.m.
Republican Mark Messmer won election to a U.S. House seat representing Indiana on Tuesday. The former Indiana state Senate majority leader defeated Democrat Erik Hurt, an Evansville movie theater manager. Messmer resigned from his state Senate post in September to focus on winning the seat vacated by retiring seven-term U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon. Messmer campaigned on deporting anyone who is in the country illegally, supporting Israel and promoting blockchain technology development without a central bank-issued cryptocurrency. The Associated Press declared Messmer the winner.
7 p.m.
Republican Donald Trump won the presidential election in Indiana on Tuesday. The reliably conservative state, where Republicans have held the governor’s office for 20 years, gave Trump its 11 electoral votes over Democrat Kamala Harris. Indiana has been favorable toward Trump in his three races for the White House. In 2016, the year he won the presidency, and again in 2020, Trump took 57% of the Hoosier state vote. The Associated Press declared Trump the winner at 7 p.m. EST.
Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun won election as governor in Indiana on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jennifer McCormick and extending the GOP’s 20-year hold on the office. Braun, the wealthy founder of a national auto parts distribution business, is leaving the Senate after one term. He will succeed Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is term-limited. McCormick was a Republican when she was elected Indiana’s schools superintendent in 2016, but she split from the GOP over education policy and changed her party affiliation to Democrat after her term ended in early 2021. The Associated Press declared Braun the winner at 7 p.m. EST.
Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks won Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Valerie McCray. Banks passed on running for a fourth term in northeastern Indiana’s heavily Republican 3rd District to instead seek the state’s open U.S. Senate seat. Republican Sen. Mike Braun skipped a reelection bid so that he could run for governor. Banks, a combative defender of former President Donald Trump who is a frequent Fox News Channel guest, voted against certifying Joe Biden’s presidential election victory after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Associated Press declared Banks the winner at 7 p.m. EST.
6:45 p.m.
With 10% of the results counting in heavily Republican Hamilton County, two Democrats were in the lead. Kamala Harris led in the presidential race, and Jennifer McCormick led in the Indiana governor race.
6:40 p.m.
- Indiana governor: With 8% of precincts reporting, Mike Braun leads with 54%.
- Indiana attorney general: with 8% of precincts reporting: Todd Rokita leads with 57%.
- U.S. senator for Indiana: With 8% of precincts reporting: Jim Banks leads with 58%
- President (Indiana votes only): With 9% of precincts reporting: Donald Trump leads with 57%.
- U.S. House, Indiana District 3: With 33% reporting: Marlin Stuzman leads with 60%.
- U.S. House, Indiana District 8: With 7% reporting: Mark Messmer leads with 71%.