Pence: Holcomb Ready ‘Day One’ For LG Job

Pence announced Holcomb as his choice last month.

Governor Mike Pence will nominate former Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb to serve as his lieutenant governor. Pence says Holcomb "has a heart for public service and a love for Indiana like few people I have ever known." He would succeed Sue Ellspermann, who Pence says has done "a phenomenal job serving the people in Indiana." Ellspermann is pursuing the president’s job Ivy Tech Community College.

Pence says Holcomb played an integral role in former Governor Mitch Daniels’ efforts to "get Indiana’s financial house in order," and as Republican Party chairman, was instrumental in helping pass a balanced budget. The governor says Holcomb is ready on "day one" to serve in the role.

Ellspermann has said she is honored by Ivy Tech’s consideration, given "my deep engagement in work force development." She has said she spoke with Governor Mike Pence and the two of them agree on the importance of the work force challenge and her qualifications to face it. Current president Tom Snyder announced his retirement earlier this year. He will step down in 2016 to join President Barack Obama’s College Promise Advisory Board.

Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) issued the following statement on the announcement:

"Governor Pence’s selection of Eric Holcomb to serve as Indiana’s next lieutenant governor is a brilliant choice. Eric is a solid conservative, who brings a wealth of experience gained through his decade of service to Governor Daniels, his leadership of the Indiana Republican Party and as my state chief of staff. Eric is known and respected by Hoosiers throughout our state, and he is dedicated to working with Governor Pence to continue the progress Indiana has made over the last decade and to making our state a better place."