2020 Indiana gubernatorial election

2020 Indiana gubernatorial election

← 2016 November 3, 2020 2024 →
 
Nominee Eric Holcomb Woody Myers Donald Rainwater
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
Running mate Suzanne Crouch Linda Lawson William Henry
Popular vote 1,706,727 968,094 345,569
Percentage 56.51% 32.05% 11.44%

Holcomb:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Myers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No data

Governor before election

Eric Holcomb
Republican

Elected Governor

Eric Holcomb
Republican

The 2020 Indiana gubernatorial election was won by incumbent Republican Eric Holcomb on November 3, 2020. The election was held concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Holcomb was eligible to run for re-election to a second term in office, and announced his intention to do so on July 13, 2019, alongside his lieutenant governor, Suzanne Crouch.[1] He faced Democrat Woody Myers, the former health commissioner of Indiana (and later, of New York City) and his running mate, Linda Lawson, the former minority leader of the Indiana House of Representatives, in addition to Libertarian Donald Rainwater, a U.S. Navy veteran and his running mate William Henry.[2][3] Primary elections were held on June 2; Holcomb and Myers ran unopposed.

In the general election, Holcomb won re-election to a second term. Myers also became the first major party candidate to receive fewer than one million votes since Republican David McIntosh in 2000.[4] The election was also notable for the strong performance of Libertarian candidate Rainwater, who finished in second place, behind Holcomb and ahead of Myers, in over one-third of Indiana's counties, 33 out of 92.[5] The stronger-than-expected performance by Rainwater was perceived to be a reaction to Governor Holcomb's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Rainwater pushing for fewer government restrictions.[6]

The Associated Press's large-scale pre-election survey found that Eric Holcomb won white Hoosiers 62–27%, while Myers won black Hoosiers 76–20%.[7]

This election marked the worst performance by a Democratic candidate for governor in Indiana history.[8]

  1. ^ Smith, Casey (July 13, 2019). "Gov. Eric Holcomb to run for reelection: 'Let's keep making Hoosier history for four more years'". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  2. ^ "2020 General Election Candidate List - Abbreviated" (PDF). Indiana Secretary of State (Election Division). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "Libertarian governor candidate Donald Rainwater to visit Kokomo". Kokomo Tribune. October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "2000 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Indiana". Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ^ Martin, Ryan; Sikich, Chris. "'We sent a message': Donald Rainwater doesn't win, sets Indiana Libertarian record". IndyStar. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Sikich, Chris. "Indiana Libertarian candidate for governor targets voters upset by COVID-19 mandates". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  7. ^ "Poll Results". November 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 18, 2022.

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