GOP candidates maneuver behind the scenes to replace Pence
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Donald Trump's selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his running mate has set off a flurry of behind-the-scenes maneuvering to replace Pence as governor, with two U.S. House members and the state's lieutenant governor jumping at the chance to become the Republican nominee in November's election.
U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita filed paperwork withdrawing from their congressional re-election bids Friday. Eric Holcomb, whom Pence appointed as lieutenant governor recently, filed the forms to drop his bid for election to a full term in his new role.
Their fates will now be decided by the 22-member state Republican committee, which will meet in a closed-door meeting on July 26 to select Pence's replacement.
State law bars most candidates from seeking two offices, meaning the candidates took a considerable risk by dropping off the ballot in the hopes of the potentially bigger reward.
It is yet to be seen how much influence Pence will try to exert over the process. And Indiana GOP Chairman Jeff Cardwell told the Associated Press on Friday that there are no assurances that candidates who are passed over will be restored to the ballot for the positions they withdrew from Friday.
"Short answer for you - absolutely none," Cardwell said. "It is a big risk and they offer themselves up because they feel they have a plan and a vison for the future."
While Brooks, Rokita and Holcomb dropped out of their races, other officeholders who are not currently on the ballot can seek the job without stepping down.
Allies for the contenders have privately expressed concern that the closed-door nature of the proceedings could influence the outcome and prevent the party from putting forward the most electable candidate, but few will talk openly about behind-the-scenes angling.
"I trust the people of the state party will make the right choice," said Tom John, a committee member representing the Indianapolis area. "I have faith all of the players involved are going to focus on finding the most electable candidate."
On Friday, candidates made their opening pitches, with all vowing to continue pushing a business-friendly agenda of low taxes and limited regulation.
Holcomb, an adviser to former Gov. Mitch Daniels who has never won a race of his own, offered few specifics beyond that, saying he would "share that when I become the candidate for governor."
Rokita, meanwhile, described Indiana as a "backwater" before the last 12 years of GOP governors, adding: "we cannot go backward."
"Now ... we're certainly not a backwater - we're at the cutting edge," said Rokita, who was twice elected Indiana secretary of state before winning a seat in Congress. "But I will tell you that other states are looming ever larger in our review mirror."
He described himself as "conservative on social issues," but said that wouldn't be his focus, if elected. "The economy comes first," he said.
Brooks struck a moderate tone and argued that she has a pedigree that makes her uniquely qualified for the job. Before she was elected to Congress, she served as U.S. attorney in Indianapolis and as deputy mayor for former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith.
She hinted that social issues, which have been a hallmark of Pence's tenure, would not be a priority. She also alluded to the thorny subject of statewide discrimination protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation, which are a priority of business community but have failed to move forward due to resistance from social conservatives.
"We have to strike the right balance in our state and country, respecting religious intuitions," Brooks told the AP, adding "We absolutely need to ensure that in no way individuals are discriminated against."
If selected, Brooks would be vying to become Indiana's first female governor, a milestone that was not lost on her.
"I absolutely believe we need more women in elected office," she said. "I think the time is right."