Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a primary election night party in Nashua, N.H., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Nearly all major Republican candidates for governor enthusiastically back former President Donald Trump in his bid for a second term with one exception — former Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, who hasn’t indicated a preference.
On Tuesday night, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch formally endorsed Trump following his victory in the New Hampshire primary, which she called “a testament to his popularity and resilience.”
“We need a president who grows the economy—not our list of enemies. We need a return to economic growth, a strong foreign policy, and a chief executive who cares about our borders. All Republicans need to unite behind the next president of the United States—Donald Trump,” she said in a statement.
Previously she had demurred on the topic.
That didn’t stop U.S. Sen. Mike Braun from criticizing her along with other candidates for not backing him less than 30 minutes after her release.
“Trump’s win in (New Hampshire) is decisive. Republicans in Indiana and around the country are uniting behind Trump to defeat Biden. It’s sad @Suzanne_Crouch can’t even utter the words she “endorses” Donald Trump for president, but even worse @ChambersforIN and (Eric) @DodenforIndiana won’t even say his name!”
While her statement didn’t use the word endorse, the headline of her news release did.
Braun endorsed Trump in September and Trump returned the favor in November.
Doden, a Fort Wayne businessman, quote tweeted Braun Wednesday afternoon, saying, “I supported President Trump in 2016 and I supported him in 2020. I will support him in 2024 because someone has to actually back the blue and clean up the messes in Washington DC that you never could, Senator.”
When asked by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, former Attorney General Curtis Hill said, “From the beginning of our campaign, I have been vocal about the weaponization of justice against President Trump. I stood with him as our Attorney General and I stand with him now. I have never shied away from supporting him. I am proud of his record as President and I know he will get our country back on the right track. It is time Republicans unite behind President Trump and focus on beating Joe Biden this November.”
Chambers’ campaign didn’t respond when asked multiple times Wednesday by the Indiana Capital Chronicle about whether he’d endorse Trump.
By Whitney Downard – The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, not-for-profit news organization that covers state government, policy and elections.
