Former Vice President Mike Pence has weighed into the endorsement wars in an Indiana state Senate race, putting himself once again at odds with his former boss, President Donald Trump.
Pence endorsed incumbent state Sen. Jim Buck, R-Kokomo, for reelection to his seat, where he faces competition from Trump-endorsed candidate Tracey Powell. This is one of eight state senate races where Trump has backed a newcomer in retribution for the office holder’s decision to vote against his push for mid-decade redistricting last year.
“I have known State Senator Jim Buck throughout my years serving Indiana from the State House to the White House and I have always seen him as a man of integrity and one of Indiana’s most conservative state legislators,” Pence said in a statement April 10.
Pence called Buck a “committed Christian” and “principled conservative” who’s always stood for anti-abortion causes, tax cuts, gun rights and a balanced budget.
Buck’s seat covers Tipton County, some of Howard County and dips down into Hamilton County. It’s a seat he’s held comfortably, without primary competition, since 2008. Before that, Buck was a state representative since 1994.
On the May 5 ballot, he’ll face Powell, a chiropractor, Tipton County commissioner since 2020 and a member of the Indiana County Commissioners Association.
Trump’s involvement in these low-level races has elevated them to the national stage and attracted millions in investments from outside groups like Turning Point Action and Club For Growth. Other heavy hitters, like former Gov. Mitch Daniels and now Pence, have rallied to the other side, defending incumbents.
Daniels was and is unequivocally against redistricting, but Pence hadn’t made clear his position, saying publicly only that he thinks the decision should be up to the states.
Buck told IndyStar he doesn’t see this endorsement as signifying any change in that positioning. Pence simply called him up and asked if there was anything he could do to help, Buck said. The two have known each other since before Pence was elected to any office.
“That endorsement didn’t come with the yes or no vote (on redistricting),” Buck said. “He just knows me.”
“Friends stick together and friends know each other,” he added. “I’m just tickled that he chose to get on board.”
Contact Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Pence endorses Indiana Senate candidate, breaking with Trump
Reporting by Kayla Dwyer, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
