INDIANAPOLIS—Throughout his two terms in office, outgoing Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he was proud of many things.
But overall, he said that he is most proud of the conduct of his administration and his partners with the government, the corporate sector, philanthropists and academia, stressing that a lot of good has come to the state of Indiana from that.
“We as an administration, multiple agencies and departments, (are) all trying to be a positive influence for the state of Indiana,” Holcomb said. “…A lot of good has come out of those partnerships and cooperation in terms of new jobs, (and building) the economy of the future.”
Holcomb has served as Indiana’s Republican governor since 2016. Formerly Indiana’s 51st lieutenant governor, Holcomb was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Under state law, Holcomb is not able to run for a third term as governor.
According to his gubernatorial website, Indiana’s economy has grown through Holcomb’s tenure as governor, including record-breaking levels of capital investment and cutting personal income and corporate taxes.
Holcomb said economic growth has led to the state bringing in new industries, as well as allowed the state to invest in its people through K-12 funding and literacy efforts, as well as addiction/recovery programs.
“We’re ushering in a new hydrogen hub, a new microelectronics hub, a new biotech hub, the one health innovation district, the LEAP district,” Holcomb said. “Billions are being invested in the state of Indiana, all over the state of Indiana, not just in one central area. That is expanding the playing field for us, pulling in every region’s leaders and stewards.”
Holcomb said some of the developments over his tenure as governor will help the state as it moves forward 10-20 years down the road, including building out broadband in rural areas, finishing the I-69 project and developing trails that connect communities.
“So many things I’m proud of that in 10, 20 years, knowing that we’ve been planning strategically for where Indiana is going to be in 2030, 2040, we’re well on our way,” he said.
In November, U.S. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind. was elected to be Indiana’s new Republican governor. Holcomb said that he was “100% confident” that Braun will emphasize the importance of continuing to grow the state of Indiana.
The main piece of advice that Holcomb has for Braun is to be humble and be willing to learn every day on the job.
“This job, and I say this from personal introspection, this job is the first time any of us have had it. For that reason and that reason alone, it’s unlike anything you’ve never done before,” Braun said. “…“It’s one that I think requires you to be humble and recognize that you are going to be learning every day on the job – first day to the last day… You’re going to be connected to people. The good thing about Hoosiers, they are going to tell you what they think.”
Holcomb said that good role models need to be involved in politics, having candidates that would hold themselves accountable on issues they ran their campaign on.
“How are we doing in that fight? How are we actually improving on our debt and deficit? How are we actually encouraging legal immigration while making sure illegal immigration isn’t occurring?” Holcomb said. “Those will require courage but most importantly, at the least, it will require a plan to put in place. I’m hopeful those there now will carpe diem, seize the day.”
The goal is for the person in the position to be in pursuit of progress.
“The way you do that is by having a plan and sticking to it, not taking the bait and getting distracted. We’ve tried to always have an agenda that is a plan, a step-by-step attack, if you will, on whatever topic we are trying to address, be it education, health and wellness, growing the economy, building roads, whatever it is,” Holcomb said. “We have a plan and we try to stay focused on that.”
Ultimately, during his time in office, Holcomb said he “tried every day” to represent all Hoosiers. Holcomb said he sees showing grace, specifically in the gubernatorial seat, as a “sign of strength.”
“Even if it meant biting my tongue, I’ll confess, or looking the other way, or understanding that someone maybe had a bad day, or don’t have access to all the information I do,” Holcomb said. “To show a little grace in this job (is important). It goes a long way to let things settle, even when you think you’re unfairly attacked.”
When asked about his future, Holcomb said he is not thinking right now about running for office again, but did not rule out a future run for office. Holcomb emphasized the importance of him stepping back and helping organizations and companies grow like he’s helped the state of Indiana grow.
Braun will be sworn in as Indiana’s new governor in January 2025. The details surrounding his inauguration ceremony can be found here. A portion of Holcomb’s conversation about his time in office can be viewed in the video player above.
