AFTER THE PRIMARY WHAT’S NEXT?
MAY 9,2022
by Johnny Kincaid
The primary is over! and based on the Republican voting record, Mike Braun will likely win the general election and become our next governor. Mark Messmer will likely be our representative in Congress. Cheryl Musgrave is out, and Amy Canterbury is in as the Republican candidate for County Commissioner.
The important races happened at the precinct level. Thanks to some recruiting efforts from conservative Republicans, there would likely be a record number of candidates to fill those positions. Provisional ballots may change the outcome of some races where the margin was just one or two votes on election night. This sets up a struggle for power in the local party that may result in leadership changes next year when a caucus will be held to vote on the county chair.
The GOP State Convention in June will allow those who won delegate races to elect the Attorney General and lieutenant governor candidates. Micah Beckwith has been traveling the state to recruit delegate candidates to vote for him for lieutenant governor, saying, “It’s to elect instead of select” for this office.
There could be fireworks as the governor candidate usually selects the second-in-command, and the convention delegates confirm that decision. Braun has not announced whether he has a preferred candidate for lieutenant governor.
Attorney General Todd Rokita is currently unopposed in his bid for another term.
The delegates from Vanderburgh County will be a mix of establishment Republicans who will likely follow tradition and vote for Braun’s preferred candidate and new conservatives who have—an allegiance to Beckwith.
FOOTNOTE: Posted without bias, opinion or editing.
