Sen. Mike Braun announces his campaign for governor in 2024 from an Indianapolis steakhouse. Photo by Whitney Downard of Indiana Capital Chronicle.

By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz
Indiana Capital Chronicle

INDIANAPOLIS — Prominent national conservative organization Club for Growth on Tuesday endorsed U.S. Sen. Mike Braun in his bid for Indiana’s top elected position.

“Sen. Mike Braun is a proven conservative fighter who will stand up and protect Hoosier values as Indiana’s next Governor – we are proud to endorse him in the race,” said David McIntosh, the political action committee’s president.

“We will do whatever it takes to ensure Sen. Braun is elected Governor.”

Club for Growth first endorsed Braun during his 2018 Senate campaign, in which he defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly. Since then, the group has bestowed two “defender of economic freedom” awards upon Braun — in 2019 and 2021 — and granted him a 92% lifetime rating.

“As a Main Street Entrepreneur and the only candidate with a proven conservative record when it comes to less spending, lower taxes, and reducing regulations, I am proud to have the endorsement of Club for Growth,” Braun said in a statement.

“After being named one of the most effective and conservative U.S. Senators, I will continue to challenge the status quo and offer solutions that will create jobs, lower the cost of healthcare, improve our schools and put all Hoosiers on the path to prosperity,” he added.

The group previously made Hoosier headlines for running thousands of dollars worth of advertisements blasting former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, in an effort to keep him out of the race to fill Braun’s seat. Daniels later declined to run.

Braun is among the race’s frontrunners, but he still faces formidable competitors: former Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden and former Attorney General Curtis Hill.