Kaitlin Lange | IndyStar

Stephen J. Beard/IndyStar, Stephen J. Beard/IndyStar

Indiana Treasurer Kelly Mitchell is likely to enter the 5th Congressional District race to replace Susan Brooks, sources close to Mitchell say.

The Republican has started looking for a house within the district, calling Republicans for input and putting a team together, those sources say.

Currently she lives just outside the district, which stretches from the north side of Indianapolis to the city of Marion.

Earlier this summer, Brooks, who has held the seat since 2012, announced she was retiring from Congress to spend more time with family. The news gave Democrats hope that 2020 would be their chance to capitalize on shifting demographics nationwide and flip what has long been a red seat.

Former state Rep. Christina Hale and a favorite among Democratic insiders created buzz within the party when she announced last month she was entering the race.

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Mitchell, who didn't respond to IndyStar's attempts to reach her at the state treasurer's office, was first elected to that post in 2014 and won reelection in 2018. Before that, she worked as the director of TrustINdiana, an investment fund, under former treasurer Richard Mourdock.

Charlie Nye/The Star

During her tenure as treasurer, Mitchell has remained uncontroversial compared to her predecessor. On his way out the door, Mourdock compared the nation's direction to Hitler's Nazi Germany during a farewell speech at the Indiana Republican Convention.

"I don't think comments of that sort are appropriate at any time," Mitchell had said at the time, offering one of the stronger rebukes of Mourdock's comments among Republicans who were present.

So far, only two Republicans have filed to run in the 5th District: Micah Beckwith, a student worship pastor at Northview Church in Carmel, and Danny Niederberger, a fund accountant at Concise Capital Management.

A source close to Rep. Steve Braun said he has talked to the state party and National Republican Congressional Committee about potentially running for the open seat.

State Sen. John Ruckelshaus, R-Indianapolis, has also indicated his interest, and former U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita has thrown his support behind former state Sen. Mike Delph, a conservative stalwart who lost his state Senate seat in the 2018 election.

Dee Thornton, a corporate consultant from Carmel who lost to Brooks in 2018, and a couple of other Democrats have also already filed to run.