Tony Cook

tony.cook@indystar.com

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb defeated Democrat John Gregg in the race for governor, overcoming a belated campaign start and defying several recent polls suggesting he was behind.

Holcomb carried 52 percent of the vote to Gregg’s 45 percent with 3,113 of 5,375 precincts reporting. Libertarian Rex Bell, who suffered a stroke just days before the election and remains hospitalized, had 3 percent of the vote.

Holcomb will succeed Gov. Mike Pence, who exited the race to become Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's running mate.

The win provided major relief for Republicans, who were facing perhaps their toughest challenge from Democrats since taking control of the governor’s office 12 years ago. Most recent polls showed Gregg ahead.

But a Republican wave in Indiana, led by Trump, helped sweep Holcomb and U.S. Senate candidate Todd Young to victories.

"You heard what I heard," Holcomb said during a victory speech at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis. "Holcomb can't raise enough money. Holcomb can't put a credible statewide campaign together in this short amount of time. Holcomb can't do this and Holcomb can't do that. Well, they were partly right. Holcomb couldn't do it, but we did."

Holcomb was bolstered by strong returns from rural counties, but he also dominated in the suburban “doughnut” counties surrounding Indianapolis. Those were places where Gregg had to perform better to win.

Holcomb ran on a promise to protect policies implemented under his two Republican predecessors, Pence and former Gov. Mitch Daniels. He frequently cited the state’s low unemployment figure and robust budget reserves as evidence that GOP fiscal discipline and school reform measures were working.

But Holcomb entered the race with only about 100 days left. Having never won an election before Tuesday, he faced criticism for producing few specific policy proposals during the abbreviated campaign.

But Holcomb overcame those hurdles, blitzing the state and banking heavily on the good will he had built with GOP activists throughout his career as a behind-the-scenes political operative prior to Pence appointing him as his No. 2 in March.

Holcomb will enter the governor's office with strong majorities in the state legislature, but he said Tuesday his administration would be an inclusive one.

"Our team will bring transformational and generational, equation-changing policies and projects to Hoosier communities large and small. No corner of our state will be ignored," he said. "No legislator or local government leader will be ignored as we seek your input on how we grow our economy, enhance our communities and protect all Hoosiers. Together, we're not just going to keep Indiana on the right track. We're going to keep Indiana on the right trajectory. Because, folks, you ain't seen nothin' yet."

Holcomb’s victory was a big blow to Gregg, who lost to Pence by a smaller margin four years ago.

Gregg was hoping to capitalize on controversies over social issues during Pence’s term, including a controversial religious objections law and new restrictions on abortion.

But Trump threw a wrench into that strategy when he tapped Pence to be his vice presidential candidate.

Still, Gregg was regarded as a slight favorite. The wise-cracking former Indiana House speaker was better known and was running on an agenda that included universal pre-kindergarten, a $3 billion infrastructure plan and an expansion of the state’s civil rights laws to include protections for gay and transgender people.

Ultimately, though, voters in this Republican-leaning state opted for the candidate who promised to build on the policies of previous GOP administrations.

In his concession speech at the Indiana Convention Center, Gregg admitted “this was not the speech I planned on giving tonight.”

But he urged his fellow Democrats not to give up.

“If we choose it, although tonight is disappointing, tomorrow can still be our day,” he said. “Democrats, we can win, we will win. View this as a beginning, not an end.”

Holcomb’s win ends one of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races in the country. The contentious campaign included millions of dollars spent on attack ads, many of them funded by groups outside of the state.

In all, the two candidates spent more than $20 million on the race, not including the roughly $7 million Pence spent before exiting the race.

IndyStar reporters Mark Alesia and Shari Rudavsky contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.

Donald Trump and Indiana's Mike Pence win presidential race