Jamie Reitenour

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jamie Reitenour

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 7, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Southwest Missouri State University, 2001

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Stay-at-home mom

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Jamie Reitenour (Republican Party) ran for election for Governor of Indiana. She lost in the Republican primary on May 7, 2024.

Reitenour completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jamie Reitenour earned a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University in 2001. Her career experience includes working as a mortgage broker, compliance manager, ministry leader, and stay-at-home mom.

Elections

2024

See also: Indiana gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2024

General election

General election for Governor of Indiana

Mike Braun defeated Jennifer McCormick, Donald Rainwater, and Christopher Stried in the general election for Governor of Indiana on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Braun (R)	54.4	1,566,081
		Jennifer McCormick (D)	41.1	1,183,741
		Donald Rainwater (L)	4.5	129,781
		Christopher Stried (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	52

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,879,655
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Indiana

Jennifer McCormick advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Indiana on May 7, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer McCormick	100.0	180,577

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 180,577
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Tamie Dixon-Tatum (D)
• Bob Kern (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Indiana

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Indiana on May 7, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Braun	39.5	237,125
		Suzanne Crouch	21.7	130,219
		Brad Chambers	17.5	104,723
		Eric Doden	11.8	71,031
		Jamie Reitenour	4.8	28,774
		Curtis Hill	4.6	27,750

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 599,622
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of Indiana

Donald Rainwater defeated Rhonda Greene in the Libertarian convention for Governor of Indiana on March 2, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Rhonda Greene (L)
✔		Donald Rainwater (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Reitenour in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jamie Reitenour completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Reitenour's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The only name in a field of 6 candidates who has never been around politics or State government, Jamie Reitenour is running because of a calling on her life. She was born to military parents, was a collegiate athlete, a corporate veteran, a worship and women’s ministry leader, and a wife and homeschool mom of 5 children. Jamie has been running an unconventional campaign, foregoing political fundraising for a grassroots, volunteer effort focused on serving the people through hard work and showing them “Indiana Goodness” focused on the people instead of politics-as-usual.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I'm the only candidate who has never been in politics or government in any capacity, and am only in the race because of my heart to serve the people of Indiana. My campaign is made up of passionate volunteers, and we ask supporters to join us with their gifts and talents, not their pocketbooks and corporate connections. My conservative campaign reflects the way I will govern, through hard work, not through excessive spending. I am the first "unknown" candidate in the history of Indiana politics to meet the stringent signature requirements to qualify for the ballot with an unpaid, volunteer staff, and without formally fundraising. "We the people" deserve for our government to work harder and for us!
• Our educational system is foundational to our state's competitive workforce position and to preserving the values and way of life that Hoosiers enjoy. We will take K-5 back to the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, without the use of computers and devices in our children's hands. We will ban unnecessary and divisive ideologies from the classroom, while restoring patriotic and historically-aware social studies. We will introduce 6th graders to tech in industry by allowing business leaders to share their experiences and visions. 9th graders will declare whether college, career, or calling is their future path. 11th graders will participate in apprenticeships that provide invaluable experience and open career pathways.
• I am a Christian conservative who believes in the constitutional freedom of the people to live their lives as they choose. I will protect the right to life, revive small town communities, listen to and serve the needs of our farmers, veterans, law enforcement, and other key groups. I will defend freedom of speech and religion. I ardently support the 2nd Amendment. I will reduce wasteful government spending and explore every opportunity to reduce your tax burden, starting with the property tax. I will listen to your concerns and your needs, and work hard to address them. Good leadership represents the people through truth, transparency, accountability, and engagement. Government is safest in the hands of "we the people."

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

HOOSIERS!, education, life, property tax, freedom, families, fiscal responsibility, veterans, medical freedom, small towns, farmers, eliminating wasteful spending, protecting our way of life.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to many leaders in my life that persevere in their callings when people watching, who are resilient, and continue to fight the good fight and run the race set before them in Christ.

Oh that I would exemplify Christ. That in my weakness His strength would be made perfect. That the foolish things would shame the wise. Truly, our nation needs the Lord.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The United States Constitution, the Indiana Constitution, the Bible

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, experienced servant leadership, vision, perseverance, resilience, commitment to uphold the Constitution.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My Savior is my ever present help. I am so grateful through the Holy Spirit, I have been given strength and grace. I am a servant leader who listens to the people and leads with vision, shoulder to shoulder.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The governor oversees the executive office and all state departments, reports to the people of Indiana on the general assembly, oversees the National Guard, and can grant pardons. The governor also approves the budget as discussed with the budget director.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I point to my risen Savior, my life is in His, I have everything I need for all eternity - that legacy is certain.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Persian Gulf War. I was 11 years old when my Dad was deployed, in the Navy.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was babysitting. At 13, I worked as help for the janitorial staff for the church, at 16 I had a nanny job, and at 17 I worked 6 AM to 2 PM at McDonald's over the summer.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible, CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia, I also enjoy a myriad of authors, David Barton is one of them.

I don't have a lot of time, so I read the Word because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. I also desire to hear the Lord's voice and walk in His wisdom. We need to read His word to know His voice.

I appreciate David Barton's historical research and commitment to truth. He is helping combat false messaging in our culture and this is desperately needed. He also references Nehemiah, as I do.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Mrs. Incredible / Elastigirl

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Time is" - DC Talk

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Boundaries with mercy. It is hard to give truth and give people boundaries, but love says the hard things, and my life reflects a journey where I have encountered this many times, and had to learn grace and truth over time can heal.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

A governor IS the top executive of her state. There is a requirement to cast clear vision for each department. The governor should then put people in place to ensure that vision is accomplished on behalf of the people. The governor should meet regularly with department heads to ensure progress and receive reports on delays or issues. The governor should also have staff working with the legislature simultaneously to accomplish legislatively what will be practically established throughout the State. The governor should be on the ground and seen by the people, leading by example in communities the vision for the State, which for Jamie Reitenour is Indiana Goodness. In many ways, the governor is responsible to ensure on behalf of the people that the State agencies and public servants “do the next right thing.”

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

The most important responsibilities for Governor of the State of Indiana is the adherence to and upholding of the Constitution. The governor should also have a respected, supportive and trustworthy staff that will ensure the governor is always aware of the voice of the people.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

In Indiana, there is no budget line item veto, the governor must work on behalf of the people and continue to lead the people in engagement to ensure the voice of the people is always made known to the general assembly.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Indiana does not have line-item veto power for the governor.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature is one of cooperation in Constitutional adherence and commitment, while spending less taxpayer dollars to facilitate an environment for the well being of the people of Indiana, which includes the people’s economic success and community safety.

What do you love most about your state?

Her people.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Indiana’s greatest challenge over the next decade will be addressing pervasive government overreach and political expediency at the expense of the people, and keeping Indiana's workforce current withe technological advances while staying true to Hoosier roots and lifestyle.

Tell us your favorite joke.

My son made this one up:

What do you say to a bomb that's late to a party?

You blew it.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Emergency powers should only be used as a last option, and should always err on the side of freedom.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Indiana Republican Assembly (INRA), Citizens Coalition for Legislature Accountability (CCLA) of Indiana, various federal, state, and local political candidates and grassroots groups and committees.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The people always deserve:

1) the truth as soon as possible,
2) transparency and a government that works well with this in mind, and
3) respect for the Constitution.
That truth, transparency, and foundation keep the people engaged, and the people are over the government.

My administration will hold a press conference every Tuesday, local press in front, national press in back, where I will answer their questions and provide transparency.

I believe in roll call voting so that we have names, on record, of everyone voting for or against a measure, an advancement, or a law. This will change the way the legislature operates with accountability to constituents.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Indiana does not have such a process, but if it were ever to be passed, I would maintain that the government is safest in the hands of the people.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Jamie Reitenour campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Governor of Indiana	Lost primary	$75,841	$69,650
Grand total			$75,841	$69,650
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Governor of Indiana

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram