INDIANAPOLIS – An incredible year for Republican Eric Holcomb was capped Monday as he was sworn in as Indiana’s 51st governor. He vowed to make Indiana a state where people thrive.
Holcomb started 2016 as a candidate for the GOP nomination to replace Dan Coats in the U.S. Senate, withdrew from that race to become lieutenant governor when Sue Ellspermann resigned, and finally became the party’s gubernatorial candidate when Mike Pence was named as Donald Trump’s running mate.
Holcomb was joined at the ceremony by Vice President-elect Pence and former Indiana governors Democrat Evan Bayh and Republican Mitch Daniels.
In front of about 2,000 people at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Holcomb was officially sworn in as the state’s next governor.
“I’m honored and proud to serve you and the state we love,” Holcomb said during remarks after taking the oath of office.
Holcomb said that 12 years ago he was side by side with Daniel when he became Indiana’s 49th governor.
“The result of those early reforms fueled our current greatness,” he said of the eight years that Daniels served as governor. “Hoosiers came not only to accept change, but to expect it.”
Holcomb said that Pence kept the momentum going and that more Hoosiers are working in the private sector than ever before.
“That’s two tough acts to follow,” he said. “The best way I can show my appreciation for the faith you placed in me is to uphold the same courage, conviction and commitment you did.”
Holcomb said that, during the past 12 years, Indiana has become a national leader in business growth and that companies that used to locate in Boston and the Silicon Valley are now coming to Indiana.
He said Indiana has three times the high-tech job growth as the nation average in the past decade.
“There are too many Hoosiers and their families that feel they’ve been left out or in danger of being left behind,” Holcomb said. “I will focus every day to make Indiana a place where people thrive.”