Greg Pence is the winner in the 6th Congressional District Republican primary.
The district includes Columbus, Muncie and Richmond.
Pence beat out four primary candidates for the chance to run in the general election in November. He could hold the same seat his brother Vice President Mike Pence once held for a dozen years before becoming Indiana’s governor.
“From the very beginning, we just wanted to get out into the sixth district and let people know who I am,†Pence says. “I’ve lived my whole life out in the 6 district, so I got to see a lot of people I knew, but I needed to introduce Greg Pence to them, and I’ll continue to do that.â€
In his victory speech, Pence emphasized the need for a positive campaign and a connection with Hoosier voters.
“We need to push back against the Democrats and their liberal attacks, which have often been aided by the media,†Pence said. “As a Marine, I understand that respect is earned and never given. Team Pence will continue to run a grassroots-focused, positive campaign, because talking directly to you, the voters, is all that matters.â€
Pence will face Democrat Jeannine Lee Lake in the general election. Lake says she’s confident voters will support her over Greg Pence. She says he’s tied too closely to the Trump administration.
“People are tired of divisive and hate politics,†Lake says. “We’re coming for every voter who feels disenfranchised by this particular administration. We’re coming for the least, the lost and the last.â€
Lake says she looks forward to meeting Pence for debates as the election approaches.
“Let’s sit down and let’s do this,†Lake says. “Let’s get the voters engaged in this race.â€
Lake says she plans to focus on school safety and gun control in her campaign.
Luke Messer has held the seat since 2013. He vacated the position so he could pursue the GOP Senate nomination.
