CQ Politics | Governor Detail: Indiana

CQ 2008 Election Guide

Race to Watch

Indiana, Governor

2008: Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) vs. Jill Long Thompson (D)

Vote for winner in 2004: 53 percent

Daniels, a former White House budget director under President George W. Bush , will face Jill Long Thompson, who was a U.S. House member from 1989-95 and then a top official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the administration of President Bill Clinton. Daniels has had tepid approval ratings for much of his tenure, but his state generally leans Republican.

Race Information

Incumbent: Mitch Daniels, R
First Elected: 2004 (1st term)
Incumbent Status: Running for reelection
Challengers: Jill Thompson, D; Andy Horning, LIBERT; Christopher Stried, I; Timothy Frye, I
Race Forecast: Republican Favored

State Information

U.S. Senate Delegation: 1 Democrat, 1 Republican
U.S. House Delegation: 5 Democrats, 4 Republicans

Senators: Sen. Richard G. Lugar, R; First Elected: 1976 (6th term); Last Elected: 2006 (87.36%); Sen. Evan Bayh, D; First Elected: 1998 (2nd term); Last Elected: 2004 (61.65%)

State Offices: State House Control: Democratic; State Senate Control: Republican

Demographics (2000 census): Population (2005): 6,271,973; Under 18: 25.9%; Over 65: 12.4%; Non-Hispanic White: 85.8%; Black: 8.3%; Hispanic: 3.5%; Asian: 1.0%; American Indian: 0.2%; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.0%; Median Household Income: 41,567; Median Household Income Rank: 22

State Election History
Year	Election	Candidate	Votes	Percent
2008	general	Mitch Daniels (R)	1,563,885	57.8%
		Jill Thompson (D)	1,082,463	40%
		Andy Horning (LIBERT)	57,376	2.1%
		Christopher Stried (I)	19
		Timothy Frye (I)	8

2004	general	Mitch Daniels (R)	1,302,912	53.2%
		Joseph Kernan (D)	1,113,900	45.5%
		Ken Gividen (LIBERT)	31,664	1.3%

2000	general	Frank O'Bannon (D)	1,232,525	56.6%
		David McIntosh (R)	908,285	41.7%
		Andy Horning (LIBERT)	38,458	1.8%

1996	general	Frank L. O'Bannon (D)	1,087,128	51.5%
		Stephen Goldsmith (R)	986,982	46.8%
		Steve Dillon (LIBERT)	35,805	1.7%
		Larry G. Evans (Write-In)	109
		John Leroy Plemons (Write-In)	23

1992	general	Evan Bayh (D)	1,382,151	62%
1992	general	Mary Barton (NA)	24,378	1.1%

1988	general	Evan Bayh (D)	1,138,574	53.2%

Vote For President
Year	Democrat	Republican
2004	John Kerry: 39%	George W. Bush: 60%
2000	Al Gore: 41%	George W. Bush: 57%
1996	Bill Clinton: 42%	Robert Dole: 47%
1992	Bill Clinton: 37%	George H. W. Bush: 43%