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Longtime Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard says he won’t enter the race for the 5th Congressional District.
That seat is currently held by Rep. Susan Brooks, who withdrew her bid for re-election earlier this month so she could be considered as a Republican candidate for Indiana governor’s race.
Gov. Mike Pence dropped out of the gubernatorial race earlier this month after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump chose him as a running mate, setting off a scramble to fill his position as Republican gubernatorial nominee.
Brainard, who has served as Carmel’s mayor for 20 years, told IBJ earlier this month he was considering entering the congressional race. He said he had received “dozens of phone calls from people throughout the 5th District” asking him to consider running.
On Monday, Brainard issued a statement that he’d decided against entering that race because he wants to remain in his current position.
“We have worked hard to take what was once a blank palate of suburbia and transform it into a vibrant city where we can thrive and succeed,” Brainard said.
In his statement, Brainard also said he wouldn’t rule out future runs at higher office.
“In the future, there may be other opportunities that are presented to me that would expand my ability to influence change on a larger scale, and I will give each one the careful consideration I gave this opportunity. For now however, I feel the best choice is to continue leading one of the best cities anywhere to live, work, and raise a family,” Brainard said.
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