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Two competitive statewide primaries on the ballot: GOP governor and Democratic U.S. Senate

The race for the Republican nomination for Indiana governor is the state's first competitive gubernatorial primary in two decades.
The race for the Republican nomination for Indiana governor is the state's first competitive gubernatorial primary in two decades.

Indiana voters will decide two competitive statewide primary races today — including the most expensive primary in state history.

Six Republicans are vying for the nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb and have spent a  combined total of around $40 million.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) has long been considered the frontrunner. But his competition includes Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, former state commerce secretary Brad Chambers, Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden, former state Attorney General Curtis Hill and religious conservative Jamie Reitenour.

READ MORE: GOP candidates seek to stand out in Indiana’s first competitive gubernatorial primary in 20 years

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 765-275-1120. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues and the election, including our project  Civically, Indiana .

Braun’s run for governor has opened up his Senate seat. And there are  two Democrats hoping to flip it: former state lawmaker and retired lobbyist Marc Carmichael and Dr. Valerie McCray, a clinical psychologist.

The Democratic gubernatorial primary and Republican U.S. Senate primary are both uncontested — former state schools chief  Jennifer McCormick and  U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) will be their party’s nominees, respectively.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him 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.