Braun to run for Indiana governor, opening Senate seat in 2024

Indiana Sen. Mike Braun is running for governor, according to paperwork filed with the secretary of state's office Tuesday.

POLITICO reported in September that Braun, elected to the Senate in 2018 after defeating former Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), was leaning toward a gubernatorial run. He won a fierce GOP primary six years ago, defeating former Reps. Todd Rokita and Luke Messer.

A former executive of a distribution company, Braun has long chafed at the speed of the Senate, and Indiana Republicans close to him say he is more suited to being an executive. His current term ends in 2024. He was among a small group of Republicans backing Florida Sen. Rick Scott's challenge to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier this month.

Braun's decision could kick off a crowded GOP Senate primary to succeed him, with both Reps. Victoria Spartz and Rep. Jim Banks voicing interest in the seat.

Braun's entry into the gubernatorial race also means a competitive primary there: He'll join a former Mike Pence gubernatorial appointee Eric Doden, who has been running for months, and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch is expected to run as well.

"That filing did occur yesterday," Braun said in a brief phone conversation. "We'll talk to you down the road."

Josh Kelley, Braun's chief of staff and senior political adviser, followed up to say, "Mike Braun has filed his paperwork to run for governor and will be making an official announcement of his candidacy very soon."