Indiana Republicans Spar in Last Gubernatorial Debate Before Primary

Candidates took jabs at each other and frontrunner Sen. Mike Braun while vying to present themselves as an outsider candidate and true conservative.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch speaks during a debate organized and hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission on April 23, 2024, in Indianapolis. Darron Cummings/AP Photo

INDIANAPOLIS—Five of six Republican gubernatorial candidates engaged in a spirited debate on April 22, two weeks before the primary election that could determine the next governor of this reliably red state.

Present were Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, businessmen Brad Chambers and Eric Doden, both former secretaries of commerce for Indiana, former Attorney General Curtis Hill, and political newcomer Jamie Reitenour. Frontrunner Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) was absent from the stage, having bowed out to participate in a Senate vote the same day.