INDIANAPOLIS - Phone calls, emails and overwhelming support at the Posey County fair all played a role in state Sen. Jim Tomes running for governor, he explained.
Tomes, a six-year state senator from Wadesville, submitted his name for consideration to the Republican State Committee Monday evening. The 22-member committee will be choose someone to replace Gov. Mike Pence on November's ballot after Pence chose to accept Donald Trump's running mate offer.
The addition of Tomes makes it a four-way race, with U.S. Reps Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita and current Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb already in the running. With those big names in the race, Tomes said he realizes his chances are slim.
"I know the odds are staggering," Tomes said. "But I do believe if I win the nomination I can win the state." Tomes said for the past few years when he's been out in communities people have asked him to consider running for higher office, be it a seat in Congress or governor of Indiana. Those calls have increased since Friday when Pence removed himself from the ballot.
After talking it over with his wife, Tomes said he decided to go ahead and submit his name to the state committee for consideration.
"It's in my heart to run," Tomes said. "This has been something that's been going around and around in my head for a couple days now." Tomes said in an email sent out to committee members that as a member of the Indiana General Assembly he has a unique knowledge of the inner workings of the state's legislative and executive branches.
He also believes, if it came down to a race with Democratic candidate John Gregg, his relationship with Hoosier teachers and union voters could help sway some Democratic voters to his side.
Tomes promised, i f elected, his servant-leadership approach to elected office wouldn't change.
"I try to make myself as available as possible to everyone," Tomes said. "That would increase if I'm governor. In that office, you've got 6.5 million employers." Tomes will make his candidacy official on Thursday when he will go to Indianapolis to sign the necessary paperwork.
Others interested in running for governor have until Friday to submit their name for consideration.