Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels meets with senators amid Senate bid speculation
Juliegrace Brufke
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Former Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN) visited Capitol Hill to meet with GOP members of the upper chamber on Wednesday as he mulls jumping into the race for the Hoosier State’s open Senate seat.
As speculation swirls over what the GOP field will look like in the battle to replace Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), who is running for governor, Daniels told reporters his decision to meet with GOP senators is aimed at deciding whether a bid is the right decision for him at this time.
“All my questions are about the job and the life of a senator. I’m not the least bit worried honestly about losing; I’m worried about winning it and regretting it for six years — you want to make sure this is a job that you want,” Daniels told reporters while exiting Sen. Todd Young’s (R-IN) office early Wednesday afternoon.
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“And I say this with great respect for those who do it,” he continued, “but, you know, that doesn’t mean it fits me or fits me at this time of my life, so that’s what this field trip’s about.”
Daniels added that his discussions with current members have given him a variety of perspectives on life in the upper chamber. He plans to make a decision in “a very short time” because he doesn’t “like to keep people waiting.”
“Each person I’ve talked to said something new and different to say, and, you know, some are encouraging about it, and some are very candid and confirmed the reasons that I’m cautious or even skeptical,” he continued.
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Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), the former chairman of the Republican Study Committee and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has jumped into the race, with Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), and outside groups such as the Club for Growth endorsing him in the race.
While the Club for Growth and Donald Trump Jr. have come out against Daniels, accusing him of being a RINO, or a “Republican in name only,” the former governor brushed off the criticism, telling reporters he is “drowning in offers” to help him in the race if he ultimately decides to run.
Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) and former Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) are also rumored to be considering a bid.