Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Owens Drops Out Of Gubernatorial Race; Myers Will Be Democratic Nominee

Indianapolis tech CEO Josh Owens's campaign says hes dropping out to avoid a divisive primary and endorsing Woody Myers.
Josh Owens for Governor/Youtube
Indianapolis tech CEO Josh Owens's campaign says hes dropping out to avoid a divisive primary and endorsing Woody Myers.

Democrats won’t have a competitive primary for governor this year after tech entrepreneur Josh Owens dropped out Wednesday.

That leaves former State Health Commissioner Woody Myers as the only Democratic candidate challenging incumbent Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Friday is the deadline for gubernatorial candidates to submit 4,500 signatures to qualify for the ballot. Josh Owens’s campaign says he has enough but he’s dropping out to avoid a “divisive” primary and endorsing Woody Myers.

In a statement, Owens said Myers has the “experience, the background and the vision for success Indiana deserves.”

Myers says in a statement he’s “humbled and honored” by Owens’s decision to drop out. The health care executive says the focus is now on bringing new leadership to the governor’s office.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb finished 2019 with more than $7 million in his campaign war chest. Myers ended the year with about $1,900 in the bank.

Contact Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.