Results of the Nov. 3 election in Indiana, and across the country, may not be known for days. The counting of ballots continues after election night most years. This year’s expected surge in mailed ballots means election offices may need extra time to tally all the votes. As that occurs, some candidates may call for the counting to end and for themselves to be declared the winner. However, winners will be decided when all the votes are counted — that’s the American election system at work. WFIU/WTIU's journalists will cover that process, and WFIU/WTIU will rely on The Associated Press and NPR to call races for the winner based on the AP’s rigorous, time-tested method.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has easily secured a second term in office, winning re-election over challengers Dr. Woody Myers, the Democrat, and Libertarian Donald Rainwater.
Holcomb’s victory marks the fifth straight gubernatorial win for Republicans – Indiana Democrats haven’t won a governor’s race since 2000.
Holcomb punctuated his substantial victory by touting the record of his first term and pledging more of the same for his second.
“Hope and growth and opportunity are alive and well,” Holcomb said.
Holcomb also touts a decrease in the state's infant mortality and addiction rates. "Ain't it good to be a Hoosier?" — Brandon J. Smith (@brandonjsmith5) November 4, 2020
Myers was subdued, acknowledging that his campaign was a long shot. He did praise big voter turnout.
“And that must be nurtured, not further suppressed or ignored,” Myers said.
Rainwater called his campaign a success, saying the significant vote count for a Libertarian sends a message.
“It is our responsibility as citizens to hold government accountable every day,” Rainwater said.
Holcomb, who came into the race as a heavy favorite, was sharply criticized the last few months by those on both his political right and left for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to the renewed focus on racial inequity.
That potentially created an opening, in particular, for Myers – a medical doctor, former state health commissioner and the first Black person to run for governor on a major party ticket in state history.
It also helped boost Rainwater’s campaign, with several polls projecting he would secure a greater percentage of the vote than any Libertarian candidate for governor in Indiana ever has.
But the Associated Press called the race for Holcomb just moments after the last Indiana polling places closed.
This story has been updated.
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