| Eric Holcomb | |
|---|---|
| File:File:Eric Holcomb (2021) (cropped).jpeg | |
| Holcomb in 2021 | |
| 51st Governor of Indiana | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2017 | |
| Lieutenant | Suzanne Crouch |
| Preceded by | Mike Pence |
| 51st Lieutenant Governor of Indiana | |
In office March 3, 2016 – January 9, 2017 | |
| Governor | Mike Pence |
| Preceded by | Sue Ellspermann |
| Succeeded by | Suzanne Crouch |
| Chair of the Indiana Republican Party | |
In office January 3, 2011 – July 22, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | J. Murray Clark |
| Succeeded by | Tim Berry |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Eric Joseph Holcomb May 2, 1968 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Janet Holcomb |
| Residence | Governor's Residence |
| Website | Government website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1990–1996 |
_(cropped).jpeg){kind=link}
Eric Joseph Holcomb (born May 2, 1968)[1] is an American politician serving as the 51st and current governor of Indiana since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 51st lieutenant governor of Indiana from 2016 to 2017 under Governor Mike Pence, who left the governorship in 2017 to become the vice president of the United States. Holcomb was nominated to fill the remainder of Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann's term after she resigned on March 2, 2016, to become president of Ivy Tech Community College.[2] He won the 2016 election for governor of Indiana over Democratic nominee John R. Gregg. Holcomb was reelected in 2020 over Democratic nominee Woody Myers and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater.[3]
Early life and education[]
Holcomb was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis,[4] and in 1990 from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. At Hanover, he joined the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta[5] and served as chapter president. Holcomb served in the United States Navy for six years as an intelligence officer,[6] stationed in Jacksonville, Florida and in Lisbon, Portugal.[7] He received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Trine University on October 5, 2018,[8] and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Anderson University on May 11, 2019.[9]
Early political career[]
Holcomb began working for John Hostettler, a member of the United States House of Representatives, in 1997.[10] In 2000, Holcomb ran for the Indiana House of Representatives against John Frenz, but was defeated.[4]
From 2003 to 2011, Holcomb served as an advisor to Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, eventually rising to the role of Deputy Chief of Staff,[11][12][13] and served as campaign manager for Daniels's 2008 gubernatorial campaign. He became Chairman of the Indiana Republican Party in 2011.[7] In 2013, he resigned to become the state chief of staff to U.S. Senator Dan Coats.[14][15] In March 2015 Coats announced that he would not run for reelection to the Senate in the 2016 election, and Holcomb announced his intention to run.[16] In February 2016, Holcomb withdrew from the Senate race.[17][18]
Lieutenant governor of Indiana[]
After Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann announced her resignation, Governor Mike Pence chose Holcomb to succeed her and to be his running mate in the 2016 gubernatorial election.[19] Holcomb was sworn in as lieutenant governor on March 3, 2016.[20]
Governor of Indiana[]
2016 election[]
Results of the 2016 Indiana gubernatorial election; Holcomb won the counties in red.
Holcomb at a gubernatorial debate
Governor Mike Pence was running for reelection with Holcomb as his running mate in the spring and summer of 2016. By late June, rumors that Pence would be the Republican Party's nominee for vice president under presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump began to gain traction. In early July, Trump officially selected Pence as his running mate. Pence then withdrew from Indiana's gubernatorial election and Holcomb withdrew as the nominee for lieutenant governor. Holcomb decided to pursue the nomination for governor and was selected on the second ballot by the Indiana State Republican Central Committee, defeating Rep. Susan Brooks, Rep. Todd Rokita, and State Senator Jim Tomes.[21]
Holcomb chose Indiana State Auditor Suzanne Crouch as his running mate. They faced 2012 Democratic nominee and former Indiana House Speaker John R. Gregg and his running mate, State Representative Christina Hale. After an unprecedented 106-day campaign, Holcomb defeated Gregg, 51.4% to 45.4%. He ran slightly behind the Trump-Pence ticket, which carried Indiana with 56 percent of the vote.
First term[]
After winning the election, Holcomb announced his agenda for the upcoming Indiana General Assembly legislative session. What Holcomb calls his “Next Level Agenda” is based on five “pillars”: strengthening and diversifying Indiana's economy, strengthening Indiana's infrastructure, strengthening education and workforce training, strengthening public health and attacking addiction and providing great government service at an exceptional value to taxpayers. He has said that civility is the foundation on which the other pillars are based.[22]
Holcomb's first act as governor was creating the office of drug prevention, treatment and enforcement and tasking that office with tackling the opioid crisis and other addiction issues in Indiana. Additionally, early in his first term, Holcomb pardoned Keith Cooper, who served eight years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of an armed robbery; declared a disaster emergency at the East Chicago Superfund Site; and ended contract discussions between the Indiana Finance Authority and Agile Networks to manage Indiana's communications infrastructure, including cell towers.[23]
Holcomb has made attracting international investment and opening more overseas markets for Hoosier-produced goods a priority. Since taking office, he has led 11 international economic development trips visiting with government, business, education, military and nonprofit leaders in the United Kingdom (as governor-elect), France, Hungary, Japan, India, Canada, Israel, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, South Korea and China. He has also visited Hoosier servicemen and women and members of the United States Diplomatic Corps serving overseas.[24]
Holcomb's international engagement strategy has resulted in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Indiana increasing 300% since 2017. In recognition of his efforts, the Indianapolis-based International Center named Holcomb its 2018 International Citizen of the Year.[25]
In April 2017, the Indiana legislature approved Holcomb's request for higher fuel taxes and BMV registration fees to fund infrastructure spending, primarily on road maintenance and construction. The law went into effect on July 1, 2017, and is projected to raise on average $1.2 billion per year through 2024.[26]
In the first quarter of 2019, the National Journal reported that Holcomb's reelection faced serious challenges. It ranked him number 10 on its endangered list, writing, "Holcomb is facing potential match-ups with former state health commissioner Woody Myers and state Senator Eddie Melton."[27] By the end of the second quarter, his approval rating had risen to 50%.[28]
In November 2019, the Center for Investigative Reporting reported that Holcomb had personally pressured an Indiana OSHA investigator to drop a worker fatality case against Amazon so that Indianapolis could have a better chance at being the home of Amazon's HQ2 (a major new office). His office denied the allegations, saying that he had not attended the meeting with the OSHA commissioner and investigator.[29] Holcomb also said the accusations against him would pose a threat to Indiana's "positive business climate" and demanded they be retracted.[30] Regardless of whether Holcomb was directly involved, OSHA eventually dropped the citations against Amazon's fulfillment center and the case was reclassified as one of "employee misconduct" rather than a shortfall in training and safety procedures.[29]
In July 2020, Attorney General Curtis Hill accused Holcomb of overstepping his authority by issuing a statewide face mask mandate with criminal penalties. Hill said that only the legislature has the power under the Indiana constitution to create laws.[31]
Holcomb at his second inauguration
2020 election[]
Holcomb was reelected governor in 2020, defeating former state health commissioner Woody Myers with 57% of the vote. He received the most votes for governor in Indiana history.[32]
Second term[]
Holcomb was inaugurated to a second term on January 11, 2021.
Personal life[]
Holcomb's wife, Janet, runs a family business in Madison County, Indiana.[33] They have no children, and own a miniature schnauzer, Henry Holcomb, who is known as the "First Dog of Indiana".[34]
Electoral history[]
Template:Election box write-in with party link| Indiana gubernatorial election, 2016[35] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Eric Holcomb | 1,397,396 | 51.38% | +1.89% | |
| Democratic | John R. Gregg | 1,235,503 | 45.42% | -1.14% | |
| Libertarian | Rex Bell | 87,025 | 3.20% | -0.75% | |
| Total votes | 2,719,968 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
| Indiana gubernatorial election, 2020[36][37] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Eric Holcomb (current governor) | 1,706,739 | 56.51% | +5.13% | |
| Democratic | Woody Myers | 968,106 | 32.05% | -13.37% | |
| Libertarian | Donald Rainwater | 345,569 | 11.44% | +8.24% | |
| Total votes | 3,020,414 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
References[]
- ↑ "Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb (R-Indiana) biography". capwiz.com. http://actioncenter.capwiz.com/bio/id/30280.
- ↑ Slodysko, Bryan (February 18, 2016). "Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann to resign March 2 in expected move". The Indianapolis Star. The Associated Press. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/18/lt-gov-sue-ellspermann-resign-march-expected-move/80569580/.
- ↑ Staff Reports (2020-11-04). "Republican Holcomb wins reelection as Indiana governor" (in en-US). https://www.wishtv.com/news/election/ap-governor-eric-holcomb-wins-reelection/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cook, Tony; Schneider, Chelsea. "Meet the new lieutenant governor, Eric Holcomb". Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/15/eric-holcomb-uniter-hatchet-man-clone/80332222/.
- ↑ "Phi Gamma Delta". http://www.phigam.org/government?.
- ↑ "Eric Holcomb '90 elected Indiana's governor". Hanover College. https://www.hanover.edu/about/news?article=6424.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Kellems drops bid for state GOP chair". Madison Courier. http://madisoncourier.com/Content/News/News/Article/Kellems-drops-bid-for-state-GOP-chair/178/961/60363.
- ↑ "A night full of surprises celebrates Trine and its supporters". Trine University. https://www.trine.edu/news/2018/touchstone_awards.aspx.
- ↑ "AU Announces Speakers and Honorees for 2019 Graduation". Anderson University. https://www.anderson.edu/2019/speakers-and-honorees-for-2019-graduation/.
- ↑ "Holcomb to serve as congressman's district director". The Brazil Times. February 18, 2003. http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1239603.html.
- ↑ "A look at Indiana Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb". January 8, 2017. https://apnews.com/da35677f0e904b88814fb53a84195c7d.
- ↑ "IN.gov". https://calendar.in.gov/.
- ↑ "Tully: Can Eric Holcomb win the GOP Senate nomination?". Indianapolis Star. July 14, 2015. http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/matthew-tully/2015/07/14/tully-can-eric-holcomb-win-gop-senate-nomination/30136321/.
- ↑ "Pence ally Cardwell replacing Berry as Indiana GOP chair". Indianapolis Star. March 11, 2015. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/11/berry-exit-as-republican-party-chair-planned/70153192/.
- ↑ "Coats Announces Eric Holcomb to Serve as State Chief of Staff". June 21, 2013. http://www.coats.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/coats-announces-eric-holcomb-to-serve-as-state-chief-of-staff.
- ↑ Joseph, Cameron (March 26, 2015). "Chief of staff launches Senate bid for Coats's seat". The Hill. http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/237076-indiana-senators-chief-of-staff-launches-campaign-for-his-seat.
- ↑ "Eric Holcomb drops out of Indiana senate race". WRTV. February 8, 2016. http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/eric-holcomb-drops-out-of-indiana-senate-race.
- ↑ "Holcomb withdraws from U.S. Senate race". http://www.courierpress.com/news/politics/elections/local/holcomb-withdraws-from-us-senate-race-2b455aa9-4b6f-4db4-e053-0100007f0652-368059521.html.
- ↑ Peterson, Mark. "Indiana Lt. Governor Ellsperman plans to resign". WNDU-TV. http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Indianas-lieutenant-governor-stepping-down-mid-term-368200101.html.
- ↑ "Eric Holcomb sworn in as lieutenant governor". FOX59. March 3, 2016. http://fox59.com/2016/03/03/house-senate-confirm-eric-holcomb-for-lieutenant-governor-post/.
- ↑ "GOP chooses Eric Holcomb to replace Pence on ticket". December 8, 2016. https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/insider-gop-governors-race-a-toss-up-between-susan-brooks-eric-holcomb.
- ↑ Carden, Dan (December 26, 2017). "Gov. Holcomb pledges civility will guide all his administration does". NWI Times. https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-holcomb-pledges-civility-will-guide-all-his-administration-does/article_46e6a019-ccee-5d2f-b393-cf33c0a1ae2f.html.
- ↑ File, Adrianna Pitrelli, The Statehouse. "Holcomb off to fast start, pardons Keith Cooper, declares East Chicago lead emergency" (in en). https://www.nuvo.net/news/holcomb-off-to-fast-start-pardons-keith-cooper-declares-east-chicago-lead-emergency/article_f6007b46-bf39-5029-8495-b9f46ae1c8d8.html.
- ↑ "Governor Eric J. Holcomb: Economic Development Trips". https://www.in.gov/gov/2942.htm.
- ↑ "International Citizen of the Year" (in en-US). https://www.internationalcenter.org/icy/.
- ↑ Kramer, BIll. "Indiana Passes 10-Cents-Per-Gallon Gas Tax Increase". MultiState Insider. https://www.multistate.us/blog/indiana-passes-10-cents-per-gallon-gas-tax-increase.
- ↑ Bevin, Holcomb seats could switch parties in the upcoming election and in 2020, says National Journal, WHAS-TV, Jeff Burnett, July 25, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ↑ Morning Consult Governor ratings, Morning Consult. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Evans, Will (November 25, 2019). "Amazon's internal injury records expose the true toll of its relentless drive for speed". Reveal News. https://www.revealnews.org/article/behind-the-smiles/.
- ↑ Herron, Arrika (November 29, 2019). "Gov. Holcomb demands correction, retraction of Reveal investigation published in IndyStar". The Indianapolis Star. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/29/governor-eric-holcomb-disputes-reveals-amazon-investigation/4332828002/.
- ↑ Davies, Tom; Smith, Casey (July 23, 2020). "Indiana attorney general argues state mask mandate illegal". https://local12.com/news/local/indiana-attorney-general-argues-state-mask-mandate-illegal.
- ↑ "Governor Eric Holcomb wins reelection in Indiana; Myers, Rainwater bids fall short". https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/03/who-won-indiana-governors-race-eric-holcomb-woody-myers-donald-rainwater/6085610002/.
- ↑ Bavender, Chris (March 26, 2015). "Republican Eric Holcomb makes US Senate run official". wishtv.com. http://wishtv.com/2015/03/26/republican-eric-holcomb-makes-us-senate-run-official/.
- ↑ McKinney, Matt (September 15, 2017). "VIDEO: Henry, Indiana's First Dog, stops by RTV6". https://www.theindychannel.com/news/good-news/video-indianas-first-dog-henry-stops-by-rtv6.
- ↑ "Indiana Secretary of State Election Results". Indiana Secretary of State. http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/election/general/general2016?page=office&countyID=-1&officeID=37&districtID=-1&candidate=.
- ↑ "Indiana Election Results". Nov 23, 2020. https://enr.indianavoters.in.gov/site/index.html.
- ↑ "Indiana Election Results". https://enr.indianavoters.in.gov/site/index.html.
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eric Holcomb. |
- Governor of Indiana official government site
- Eric Holcomb at Curlie
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
Template:Current U.S. Governors Template:Current Indiana statewide political officials
The original article can be found at Eric Holcomb and the edit history here.