Daniels may consider joining the race to succeed Sen. Mike Braun (R – IN), who is running for governor of Indiana in 2024.
Daniels, in anticipation of the decision, traveled to Capitol Hill Wednesday to meet senators to discuss “life as a senator” he said to reporters.
Former governor Sen. Hickenlooper praised Daniels for his “social skills” while stating that Daniels’ executive experience would be a good fit for the Senate.
“Maybe our success in the last few years will attract more governors. Hickenlooper stated in an interview that the experience of being governor is directly applicable. “I believe [Daniels] has a drive to serve, almost like a need,” he said.
I think he will look at it and say, “Yeah, but I was so cynical that it hurt me.” He is a skilled manager and a governor. However, he is also a visionary who is capable of building constituencies around specific issues and bringing people together.
Hickenlooper’s praise for Daniels is very similar to Romney’s, who had previously stated that Daniels would be a “terrific” candidate.
Daniels, however, is hesitant to join the legislative branch because of his experience in the executive and private sectors. Daniels, a 73-year old, told reporters:
I have always held action jobs so I admire and respect people who follow the legislative route. However, it is not something that I have done or seen myself doing. Because I was asked, I am testing it all now. People I admire asked me to think about it so I am thinking.
Daniels could face a primary Republican battle against Rep. Jim Banks if he enters the race. Banks recently announced his candidacy.
It is clear that the establishment wants Daniels to be Indiana’s next senator.
As Breitbart News’s Sean Moran explained:
The primary is a continuing battle between Bush-era Republicans who are more conservative and populist-leaning candidates like Banks. Daniels was the former director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush and was often cited as a possible presidential candidate in 2012 and 2016.
Club for Growth PAC, a pro-conservative group, launched a recent attack ad against Daniels. It characterized Daniels as an “old guard Republican” and called him an Indiana governor.
Indiana Senator Todd Young (R), who met Daniels on Capitol Hill said that Daniels seemed “uncertain” about his entry into the race.
