INDIANAPOLIS — Micah Beckwith believes that his campaign for lieutenant governor, one that some may see as unprecedented, currently has momentum going into the state’s Republican convention though he acknowledged he’s still shy of the delegates needed for the nomination.
“We are seeing a lot of momentum in our camp,” Beckwith said in a recent interview with FOX59/CBS4, “and people are really starting to ask the question of who does the lieutenant governor work for in the state of Indiana. Do you work for the governor or do you work for the people?”
Beckwith announced in February that he would campaign for the lieutenant governor position, leaving the decision up to Republican delegates later this month. Beckwith is a pastor, a podcast host and a small business owner.
Traditionally, delegates with the state’s Republican party have chosen a lieutenant governor candidate that was preferred by the gubernatorial nominee. Beckwith is challenging that normal approach, actively campaigning for the position.
In May, U.S. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind., the Republican nominee for Indiana’s governor, announced that he has endorsed Indiana Rep. Julie McGuire, R-District 93 for the lieutenant governor position.
McGuire, who was first elected to the Indiana General Assembly in November 2022, serves Perry Township, as well as a portion of Franklin Township in Marion County in the Indiana House of Representatives.
“I want to be a part of this legislative agenda,” McGuire said in May. “I’m ready to be a part of the team with Mike. I’m ready to move good, conservative policy forward in the state.”
Beckwith believes that he’s campaigning for the lieutenant governor position because of the power it has in the state of Indiana.
“It’s one of the most robust lieutenant governor positions in the entire nation,” Beckwith said. “Yet, we’ve kind of treated it like the governor’s secretary for the last three decades. I think it’s time to put that back in the hands of the people.”
Beckwith said that something he has noticed overall with the Republican Party is that he believes the party as a whole, and its candidates, have not been held accountable. Beckwith said he believes accountability is a good thing.
“The Republican Party kind of has gotten a little complacent. We’ve been told as Republicans to not criticize other Republicans,” he said.
During his announcement, Beckwith said some of his priorities include fighting high inflation and property taxes, the rise in crime and threats of “woke culture” and children being “radicalized” in school.
Beckwith said he has not changed his positions in 25 years, including pro-life priorities and banning “pornographic material” in school libraries, to “protect the innocence of our kids.” Beckwith was a previous member of the Hamilton East Public Library Board of Trustees and was involved with a book relocation policy last year.
“I think what our culture is doing is going further and further left, getting pulled left by the media, by just the culture in general,” he said.
Beckwith stressed that he is a “true outsider” and would take this opportunity to champion Braun’s agenda. Beckwith said he has a lot of experience with legislation, even though he has not been a legislator.
But Beckwith said he wants to bring forward solutions on his own.
“If I hear the problems when I’m talking with Hoosiers around the state and no one’s really putting forward solutions, I’m going to try and find a solution for those people,” he said.
When asked about Beckwith’s campaign in May, Braun wished him luck, but stressed that his support is behind McGuire.
“He, I think, has worked hard to make his case and now, we are going to hear my case,” Braun said at the time. “…I think we are going to win it and I think that Micah will be fine with supporting our effort if he does not.”
Ultimately, Beckwith said if he is not elected to the position, he would continue to support Braun’s ticket.
The Republican Party of Indiana will host its convention on June 15 in Indianapolis. The party is also expected to nominate its candidate for attorney general during the convention.
Jennifer McCormick, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate and the state’s former superintendent of education, has not announced her running mate as of the publication of this story. McCormick said last month that her campaign has a shortlist and no one is off the table.
“We know what we want is the very best,” McCormick said earlier this year. “We want someone who will complement with strengths and stay true to the values at hand and understand we are after good governing, which means transparency and accountability and being good public servants, but get things done for Indiana. We are working that part of it and we’ll be ready to go.”
In a statement from the Indiana Democratic Party, officials said in May that Beckwith is focused on criminalizing abortion, banning books and cutting funding for public education.
“Braun may try to avoid having him on the ticket, but the Republican delegates will have the final say. Hoosiers can’t afford four more years of chaos and division,” the statement read.
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