Eric Holcomb

Eric Holcomb

Republican Party

Prior offices

Lieutenant Governor of Indiana

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Governor of Indiana

Successor: Mike Braun

Predecessor: Mike Pence

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Education

High school

Pike High School

Bachelor's

Hanover College

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Personal

Profession

Political Consultant

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

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Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Eric Holcomb (Republican Party) was the Governor of Indiana. He assumed office on January 9, 2017. He left office on January 13, 2025.

Holcomb (Republican Party) ran for re-election for Governor of Indiana. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Holcomb succeeded Mike Pence (R), who ran for the vice presidency of the United States on a ticket with Donald Trump (R).

Holcomb previously served as lieutenant governor. Pence appointed him to the office on March 3, 2016, after Sue Ellspermann (R) resigned to serve as president of Ivy Tech Community College. Before his nomination, Holcomb served in various administration positions, including as then-Gov. Mitch Daniels' (R) deputy chief of staff and as an advisor to then-Sen. Dan Coats (R).

Biography

Holcomb graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis and attended Hanover College, where he earned a degree in U.S. history. He served in the Navy. Holcomb worked as a campaign manager and district director for U.S. Rep. John Hostettler (R). Holcomb served in various positions in the administration of Governor Mitch Daniels (R) from 2003 until 2011, including as the governor's deputy chief of staff for a portion of that time. He then served as an advisor to U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R).

Holcomb ran for Senate in 2016. He withdrew from the race in February 2016, the day before Governor Mike Pence (R) nominated Holcomb as lieutenant governor following Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann's (R) announcement that she would resign. Holcomb was elected governor of Indiana on November 8, 2016.

Political career

Governor of Indiana (2017-2025)

Holcomb was sworn in as governor of Indiana on January 9, 2017.

Lieutenant governor of Indiana (2016-2017)

Holcomb was appointed lieutenant governor of Indiana in 2016.

Elections

2020

See also: Indiana gubernatorial election, 2020

Indiana gubernatorial election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)

Indiana gubernatorial election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for Governor of Indiana

Incumbent Eric Holcomb defeated Woody Myers and Donald Rainwater in the general election for Governor of Indiana on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Holcomb (R)	56.5	1,706,724
		Woody Myers (D)	32.1	968,092
		Donald Rainwater (L)	11.4	345,567

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,020,383
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Indiana

Woody Myers advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Indiana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Woody Myers	100.0	408,230

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 408,230
= 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

• Josh Owens (D)
• Eddie Melton (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Indiana

Incumbent Eric Holcomb advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Indiana on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Holcomb	100.0	524,496

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 524,496
= 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

• Brian Roth (R)

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of Indiana

Donald Rainwater advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Indiana on March 7, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Donald Rainwater (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= 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

• Bill Levin (L)

Click [show] to see Holcomb's candidate profile

2016

Governor

See also: Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016

Click [show] to see background information on this race

Holcomb filed a declaration of candidacy to fill a ballot vacancy on July 18, 2016, following his withdrawal from the gubernatorial election as the candidate for lieutenant governor on July 15. The Republican Party was left without a candidate for governor after Governor Mike Pence withdrew from the race in order to run for vice president of the United States. Four Republicans filed to replace Pence as the Republican nominee for governor: Holcomb, Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Todd Rokita, and state Sen. Jim Tomes. On July 26, 2016, the Republican Party nominated Holcomb for governor. On July 29, Holcomb announced that State Auditor Suzanne Crouch would join his ticket as the party's candidate for lieutenant governor. The state committee met on August 1 to formally nominate Crouch. Holcomb and Crouch competed in the November 8 general election with Democrat John Gregg and his running mate, state Rep. Christina Hale; Libertarian Rex Bell and his running mate, Karl Tatgenhorst; and independents Christopher Stried and Adam Adkins.

Eric Holcomb and Suzanne Crouch defeated John Gregg and Christina Hale, Rex Bell and Karl Tatgenhorst, Christopher Stried, and Adam Adkins in the Indiana governor election.

Indiana Governor, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Eric Holcomb and Suzanne Crouch	51.4%	1,396,460
	Democratic	John Gregg and Christina Hale	45.4%	1,234,546
	Libertarian	Rex Bell and Karl Tatgenhorst	3.2%	86,964
	Independent	Adam Adkins	0.00%	14
	Independent	Christopher Stried	0.00%	8
Total Votes				2,717,992
Source: Indiana Election Division

Lieutenant governor

See also: Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016

Holcomb withdrew from the race on July 15, 2016, in order to be considered by the Republican state committee as a candidate to replace Governor Mike Pence (R) as the party's 2016 candidate for governor. Pence withdrew from the gubernatorial race on July 15 in order to join presidential candidate Donald Trump's (R) ticket as the 2016 Republican vice presidential candidate. The committee selected Holcomb as the replacement candidate on July 26, 2016.

U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate election in Indiana, 2016

Holcomb ran in the 2016 election for the U.S. Senate to represent Indiana. However, he dropped out of the race February 8, 2016, prior to the state's filing deadline. The following day, Governor Mike Pence (R) announced that he would nominate Holcomb for lieutenant governor after then-Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann announced her resignation.

Information about campaign finance can be found by clicking [show] at the right.
Source: This graphic was generated using data from the FEC.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Eric Holcomb did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Holcomb’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Leading Through the Pandemic As Hoosiers, we’ve come together through this pandemic like never before – helping our neighbors and our communities. Governor Holcomb has taken a steady, data-driven approach as he continues to lead Indiana through these challenging times – and every step of the way, his priority remains the health of Hoosiers, while working to safely restart Indiana’s economic engines. Through his leadership, more than 200 COVID-19 testing sites have launched statewide, millions of pieces of PPE have been procured, and healthcare capacity remains strong. And through Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track plan, we’re following a phased, systematic, data-driven plan for reopening Indiana. Lowering Indiana's Infant Mortality Rate Early in his time as our state’s leader, Governor Holcomb set a big priority – making Indiana home to the lowest infant mortality rate in the Midwest by 2024. That’s because he believes in looking out for the most vulnerable Hoosiers among us. He took action, signing into law Indiana’s perinatal navigator program that connects pregnant women in Indiana’s highest-risk ZIP codes with wraparound health services –making sure all Hoosier kids have a right to life, no matter where they’re born. And while we still have a lot of work to do, we’re making progress. In 2019, Indiana saw its largest drop in infant mortality in six years. Indiana: The Fiscal Envy of the Nation Balancing budgets. Paying bills. Living within our means. That’s the motto of working Hoosier families, and it’s Governor Holcomb’s charge in leading our state. Under his leadership, Indiana is maintaining its AAA credit rating (the best in the nation!), and our healthy rainy day fund is keeping Indiana in the black during this pandemic while we maintain essential services. And, of course, that’s while taxes in Indiana continue to drop! Indiana’s personal income tax rate dropped to 3.23% in 2017, which is among the lowest in the nation. That’s while taxes for businesses continue to go down, and Indiana enjoys the benefits of permanently capped property taxes and no inventory tax. It’s an environment built for growth and opportunity! Attracting Record Job Commitments Indiana has built the Midwest’s best climate for business. And when it comes to attracting great new jobs, Indiana is continuing to break records. Since 2017, companies have committed to create more than 100,000 new Hoosiers jobs across Indiana in high-growth industries like advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics, life sciences, defense, technology, and more. In 2019, the average wage for those job commitments was $28.60/hour! Whether it’s new jobs created at homegrown small businesses or international companies choosing Indiana for their next big investment, Indiana is on the map! Supporting Indiana Schools For Governor Holcomb, making sure that every Hoosier student has a safe place to learn and grow is a top priority – whether that’s safety from COVID-19, or other threats. That’s why since 2017, Indiana has made over $1.6 billion in NEW investments in Indiana education – and next year, that commitment will continue with a scheduled increase of $183 million in 2021. Schools across the state have been provided with reopening guidance – as well as necessary tools today like masks, hand sanitizer, and grants to support remote learning. But it’s not just invisible threats. Other new resources include a program that’s now placed more than 3,200 handheld metal detectors in Indiana public, charter, and private schools at no cost to them. They’ve gone to more than 370 schools – including 94% of all traditional Indiana public schools – to help them track what’s coming into school buildings. In addition, schools have expanded access to school safety grants and access to a $35 million low-interest loan program for making school updates. And Indiana isn’t stopping until all schools have the tools they need – it simply cannot wait. Making Record Road Investments Indiana is home to one of the nation’s only fully-funded infrastructure plans of its kind – Next Level Roads. Without borrowing money from future generations of Hoosiers, Indiana is investing $32 billion into our state’s roads and bridges over the next 20 years. In the first five years alone, Hoosiers can expect to see 122 new lane miles, 1,300 bridges, and 10,000 miles of re-paved roads. That’s rolling in the right direction! Expanding Rural Broadband Now more than ever, it’s critical that ALL Hoosiers have access to reliable, high-speed internet service – whether that’s for health care, education, commerce or more. That’s why Governor Holcomb is leading Indiana’s largest single state investment in broadband in our state’s history – Next Level Connections – with multiple grant rounds totaling $100 million! Millions of dollars in grants have already been awarded for projects spanning 18 counties – and more to come soon to bring broadband access to rural Indiana. Skilling Up Hoosiers Across Indiana, companies are looking to hire hardworking Hoosiers to fill great jobs – jobs in high-demand industries like manufacturing, life sciences, technology, and logistics. Through Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Jobs plan, more than 10,000 Hoosiers have built the skills needed to fill these in-demand, high-wage jobs – helping them earn larger paychecks and open new doors of opportunity. Next Level Jobs provides Hoosiers with free classes and access to certificate programs through partners like Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University. There, Hoosiers are gaining the in-demand skills needed to begin their next big job! And as we continue to get Back on Track this year, Next Level Jobs is expanded its eligibility, offerings and funding caps – providing Hoosiers with even greater opportunity to build a brighter future. Next Level Jobs also helps Hoosiers already on-the-job by providing employers with grants to skill-up their workforce! To learn more about Next Level Jobs, visit https://www.nextleveljobs.org/. Helping Hoosiers with Recovery When it comes to attacking the state’s opioid epidemic, Governor Holcomb has made an all-hands-on-deck call. We’ve made progress, with a 13% decline in overdose deaths – but Hoosiers across the state are still struggling with addiction. Together, we’re working to help Hoosiers achieve and maintain recovery – bettering our communities, economy, public safety, and quality of life for all Hoosiers. And we’re making progress with a focus on prevention, treatment, and enforcement, which includes: • Providing communities with training and funding for naloxone, which is saving lives by reversing overdoses. • Expanding drug take-back programs – reducing the number of drugs available for misuse. • Increasing the number of opioid treatment sites statewide – placing nearly all Hoosiers within one-hour’s drive of help. • Strengthening felony charges for individuals whose dealing of illicit drugs leads to the death of a fellow Hoosier. Connecting Indiana to the World Connecting Hoosiers with the world around us doesn’t stop with roads and bridges. That’s why Governor Holcomb announced plans to invest $1 billion into Indiana infrastructure! This includes: $600 million to accelerate the completion of I-69 to 2024 $190 million for improvements along U.S. 20 and U.S. 30 in Northern Indiana New interchanges to speed up the trip between South Bend and Indianapolis on U.S. 31 $100 million to bring high-speed, affordable broadband to rural Indiana $90 million to expand connectivity of Indiana’s hiking, biking, and riding trails $20 million to attract additional international non-stop flights to Indiana And that’s in addition to Indiana’s fully-funded roads and bridges program over the next 20 years, Next Level Roads. Indiana sped up road construction earlier this year statewide – and we’re not slowing down now. Completing I-69 For more than a decade, Indiana has been building I-69 – one continuous road connecting Evansville to Indianapolis and the rest of the state. I-69 is now complete between Evansville and Martinsville. And construction of the final section is now underway, which is upgrading State Road 37 to interstate standard all the way to I-465. Through Next Level Connections, Indiana will invest $600 million to accelerate the completion of I-69 by three years…connecting Evansville and Indianapolis by 2024.	”
—Eric Holcomb’s campaign website (2020)

2016

Holcomb issued the following statement upon receiving the Republican nomination for governor

“

I am honored to receive the nomination of the Indiana Republican Party to serve as our candidate for Governor. I’m thankful to the community and grassroots leaders who endorsed my campaign in the past several days and look forward to working with them – and everyone – as this campaign officially now kicks into high gear. This year has taken many twists and turns, but I am ready to answer the call, ready to lead us to victory and ready to take Indiana to the next level. We have accomplished a great deal in the past 12 years – and I’ve not only had a front row seat, I’ve been at the table helping Governor Mitch Daniels and Governor Mike Pence build and grow our state. “We cannot allow our state to go backwards to the days of debt, delayed payments to schools and unfunded infrastructure projects.The only way we continue Indiana’s progress is by joining together – as a team – to do what we do best: balance budgets, cut taxes, invest in education and infrastructure, and work every day to make Indiana the best place to live and do business in the Midwest.

”

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Eric Holcomb

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Mike Pence  source	President of the United States (2024)	Primary	Withdrew in Convention

Campaign finance summary

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Mike Pence (R)	Governor of Indiana 2017-2025	Succeeded by Mike Braun (R)
Preceded by -	Lieutenant Governor of Indiana 2016-2017	Succeeded by -