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Gregg Campaign Trying To Link Pence And Holcomb

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, right, is looks at the crowd with Gov. Mike Pence after Holcomb was sworn in as Lt. Governer at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 3, 2016. Holcomb was chosen by Gov. Mike Pence to replace Sue Ellspermann.
AP Photo/AJ Mast
Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, right, is looks at the crowd with Gov. Mike Pence after Holcomb was sworn in as Lt. Governer at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 3, 2016. Holcomb was chosen by Gov. Mike Pence to replace Sue Ellspermann.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg and his supporters are already trying to tie new opponent Eric Holcomb to their old opponent, Mike Pence.

Holcomb emerged Tuesday as the Republican Party’s replacement for Pence on the gubernatorial ballot. Minutes after the announcement Gregg released a statement declaring that the issues in the race “remain the same.” Without mentioning Pence’s name, Gregg sought to link Holcomb with the man he replaced on the ballot, saying the lieutenant governor embraces what Gregg calls the “failed approach” to leading Indiana.

At Holcomb’s introductory press conference, when asked about his position on LGBT rights – a hot button issue for Gov. Pence – Holcomb initially sidestepped.

“Well, when you speculate about future legislation, we’ll play it as it comes to my desk, should I be honored with being the next governor of this state,” he said.

Yet he did go on to address the topic.

“We have a balance right now of protecting religious liberties while making sure that we’re not discriminating – that’s how I will approach this issue,” he said.

Holcomb insists his focus is on economic development issues.

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.
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