State senator latest to seek GOP gubernatorial nomination

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A state senator from southwestern Indiana has become the fourth Republican seeking to replace Gov. Mike Pence on the November ballot.

Sen. Jim Tomes (toms) of Wadesville filed paperwork with election officials Thursday to be considered by the Indiana Republican state committee, which is to vote Tuesday on filling Pence's ballot spot after his withdrawal to become Donald Trump's running mate.

Tomes tells the Evansville Courier & Press he's a longshot candidate. But he says he's received much encouragement from constituents. Tomes is a former truck driver first elected in 2010 to the Senate, where he has pushed to loosen state gun regulations but voted against the Republican-backed right-to-work law.

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita are also vying for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.