© 2026. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Republican Governor Candidate Raises Nearly $1 Million In Two Months

Eric Doden (center, with his family) was the first Republican to announce his candidacy in the 2024 race for Indiana governor.
Eric Doden (center, with his family) was the first Republican to announce his candidacy in the 2024 race for Indiana governor.

It’s still extremely early in the 2024 race for Indiana governor. But the only Republican who’s formally announced his bid is trying to stake an early claim in the race.

Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden raised nearly $1 million in just two months.

Doden, the former head of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, announced his campaign in early May. And since then, he’s raised more than $900,000.

And many of the contributions were large amounts – the typical giver donated more than $2,800 to his campaign.

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues.

$100,000 of his early haul, however – more than a 10th of his cash on hand – came from him and his family.

Doden is just the first of what’s expected to be several Republican candidates in the race for the open gubernatorial seat.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.