Former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) crushed rumors that he was considering running for Indiana’s Senate seat on Tuesday.
The announcement from Daniels is great news for Representative Jim Banks (R-IN) who now has a much easier path toward winning the seat currently held by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN). Braun is leaving the Senate to run for Daniel’s current spot as Indiana’s governor.
Daniels and Braun will not be trading places meaning that Banks has an open shot at Braun’s seat thanks to a strong conservative reputation and endorsements from high-profile Republicans.
Banks has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump who announced on Truth Social that “Jim Banks is respected by all, will never let you down, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
A new era for Indiana
Daniels served as Indiana’s governor for two terms between 2005 to 2013 and his career stretches all the way back to the 1980s when he served as White House director of political and intergovernmental affairs in former President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
Daniels also served in the office of management and budget in former President George W. Bush’s administration.
Daniels was by many metrics a veteran who would have had a strong shot at winning Braun’s Senate seat but according to him, he wasn’t cut out for the Senate.
Daniels stated that “After what I hope was adequate reflection, I’ve decided not to become a candidate for the U.S. Senate. With full credit and respect for the institution and those serving in it, I conclude that it’s just not the job for me, not the town for me, and not the life I want to live at this point.”
So with Daniels and his impressive resume out of the way, Jim Banks is the heir-apparent to Senator Braun and will bring a fighting spirit to the Senate should he win.
Banks to the Senate
Banks is the clear frontrunner for the Senate seat thanks to endorsements from figures like Donald Trump and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
During an interview with Fox News announcing his candidacy, Banks said, “I’m 100% pro-life, pro-family, pro-military, pro-veteran, focused on the issues that the voters care most about today, which is holding the Biden administration accountable and restoring America, fighting for our conservative values, putting America first, and that’s what I want to do in the Senate.”
The Senate will be a better place for Banks as he is a strong conservative with the talent and will to fight against Democrats. He isn’t in a position to do that in the House as he isn’t holding any significant leadership positions.
Banks is a veteran who served in Afghanistan during Operations Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel and as such is no stranger to conflict.
A lot can change in the next year but for now, Banks is the favorite, and barring a disaster he will be Indiana’s next Senator in 2024.
