Ex-Pence economic official eyes 2024 Indiana governor bid

<p>INDIANAPOLIS &mdash; A Fort Wayne businessman who was a top official in former Gov. Mike Pence’s administration is getting an early jump on running for governor in the 2024 election. </p>
<p>Eric Doden announced Thursday he was forming a committee for a Republican campaign for governor. Doden said in a statement that he was using the early campaign start to embark on what he called a “listening tour” across all 92 Indiana counties.</p>
<p>Several top Republicans have been mentioned as possible candidates to replace GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb, who can’t seek re-election again because of term limits.</p>
<p>Doden is a senior executive with construction development companies and a private equity investment firm. He’s a former CEO of the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. business organization and was appointed by Pence in 2013 as president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., a position he held until stepping down in 2015.</p>
<p>Doden unsuccessful sought the Republican nomination for Fort Wayne mayor in 2011.</p>
<p>He says he wants to grow Indiana’s Main Street program, enable successful schools, improve the health care system and create new economic opportunities for the state.</p>