Eric Holcomb

Eric Holcomb is an American politician serving as the 51st Governor of Indiana since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 51st Lieutenant Governor of Indiana under Mike Pence and held various senior roles for Mitch Daniels and other Indiana Republican Party officials. His tenure has focused on infrastructure investment, economic development, and workforce training initiatives.

Early life and education

He was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Pike Township. After graduating from Pike High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a petty officer third class from 1986 to 1990. Following his military service, he attended Hanover College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 and was involved in student government.

Early career

His early professional work included roles with the Indiana Republican Party and serving as a campaign aide for U.S. Representative John Hostettler. He later became deputy treasurer for the Indiana Treasurer of State and served as state director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats. From 2003 to 2010, he held several key positions in the administration of Governor Mitch Daniels, including deputy chief of staff and campaign manager for Daniels' successful 2008 re-election bid. He also served as chairman of the Indiana Republican Party from 2011 to 2013.

Governor of Indiana

He assumed the governorship on January 9, 2017, following the resignation of Mike Pence, who became Vice President of the United States. He was elected to a full term in the 2016 Indiana gubernatorial election and was re-elected by a wide margin in the 2020 Indiana gubernatorial election. Major initiatives during his administration have included the **Next Level Connections** broadband expansion program, a significant long-term infrastructure plan funded in part by a gasoline tax increase passed by the Indiana General Assembly, and the **Next Level Jobs** workforce training program. He signed legislation including a near-total ban on abortion following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision and oversaw the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana.

Political positions

He is generally considered a pragmatic conservative within the Republican Party, aligning with traditional positions on fiscal and social policy. He has advocated for balanced budgets, increased spending on interstate highways and state roads, and corporate tax cuts. He signed into law a bill requiring transgender athletes in schools to compete based on their sex assigned at birth. On education, he has supported increases in funding for K–12 public schools and teacher pay raises. He has maintained strong alliances with national figures like Mitch McConnell and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Personal life

He is married to Janet Holcomb, a former staffer for U.S. Senator Richard Lugar; the couple resides at the Indiana Governor's Residence. An avid sports fan, he is frequently seen attending events for the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, and Indianapolis 500. He is a member of the American Legion and has served on the board of the Indiana Historical Society. Category:1968 births Category:Governors of Indiana Category:Indiana Republicans Category:Lieutenant Governors of Indiana Category:Living people Category:People from Indianapolis