ANGOLA — Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb says he’s “wired” to continue what’s started around the state the last 10 or 12 years.
Holcomb was Tuesday’s Distinguished Speaker at Trine University’s series. He touted the success Hoosiers have been enjoying and fully plans to continue it as governor.
He’s been lieutenant governor since March following Sue Ellspermann’s leaving in the middle of her term to seek the presidency of Ivy Tech Community College. With current Gov. Mike Pence’s nomination as vice president to Donald Trump for the Republican presidential ticket, Pence had to withdrawal from the state ballot. That led to Holcomb joining the governor’s race against former Speaker of the House, Democrat John Gregg.
“I am wired, I prefer to stay in motion,” Holcomb said. “We needed the Indiana comeback. We fixed the economy first and we’ve had the right leadership in the state House.”
He was referring to the state’s positive business climate, $2.24 billion in reserves and AAA-credit rating. He also boasted the state’s 4.6 percent unemployment, which is under the national average and creation of 150,000 jobs since 2013.
“Our businesses are growing,” he said. “We’re No. 1 in manufacturing; we’re the medical device capital; we have over 80 percent of the RV industry. We’re even No. 1 in casket production. In 2016, Indiana’s not just competing — we’re winning.”
Since he was in Trine’s house of higher education, he boasted K-12 education, saying half of the state’s budget goes to public education. At the same time, he calls for expanded schools of choice.
“Parents are proud there’s no such thing as an unemployed Trine graduate,” he said, praising Trine President Earl Brooks in his leadership at the Angola university.
During a brief question and answer session, one audience member asked Holcomb if he favored starting public school classes after Labor Day, like Michigan. “That’s a constant question. Tourism is important in every county,” he said, adding he’d remain open to the conversation.
Angola Mayor Dick Hickman noted the city missed out on a 2014 Stellar Communities grant that would have brought $15 million to city government. Hickman expressed concern in asking Holcomb if he’d continue to support the Regional Cities Initiative. Holcomb said he definitely would. The matching grant program helped finance $2.8 million of the 46,200-square-foot, 700-seat Thunder Ice Arena under construction and expected to open in 2017 and the new basketball arena that’s to open in 2018. The initiative is a matching grant program to create regional development plans for more than 400 projects.
Holcomb is Indiana’s 51st lieutenant governor. The U.S. Navy veteran was an advisor to former Gov. Mitch Daniels, chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Dan Coats and Indiana Republican Party chairman.
Holcomb’s state political footing has changed dramatically this year. In March, he was chosen at caucus and sworn into office by Pence following.
Holcomb graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis and Hanover College, with a history degree.