By Casey Smith
Indiana Capital Chronicle
Republican Congressman Jim Banks easily earned a promotion to the U.S. Senate Tuesday night after early results showed he secured more than 62% of votes in the race for Indiana’s open seat, overcoming Democratic competitor Valerie McCray and Libertarian Andrew Horning.
The Associated Press called the race at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Banks, the GOP favorite, had a multimillion-dollar campaign war chest and an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. He currently represents the state’s 3rd Congressional District, centered around Fort Wayne — a seat he has held since 2017.
He ran a mostly quiet campaign leading up to Election Day, even skipping the only statewide debate in the race.
In Congress, Banks has focused on veterans issues and holding China accountable. He served in Afghanistan for parts of 2014 and 2015 while serving in the state senate.
Top-of-list issues for Banks include border security, veteran support, national defense and “opposing wokeness” in schools.
His campaign website cites support for numerous Trump administration priorities and points to “pro-growth” economic policies — like tax cuts — as well as decreased government spending and “conservative” election integrity reforms like “voter ID, fair poll watching, and swift counting of ballots.”
McCray, a clinical psychologist, earned roughly 35% of votes, according to preliminary voter returns. She was the first Black woman to become a nominee for the U.S. Senate in Indiana. Her grassroots campaign focused on reinstating abortion rights, tackling ongoing immigration issues and finding solutions to the “Israeli-Palestine issue.”
Horning, who previously run for a myriad of other offices, including several other statewide positions, received 2% of votes.
The trio vied to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mike Braun.
