Jim Banks, an Indiana Representative, announced Tuesday that he will be running for the Senate seat that Mike Braun (a fellow Republican) will leave in 2024.

“Radical socialist Democrats want to change America.” Banks declared his candidacy in a video. “I have been fighting for America-first Congress policies. I have been a leader in the fight for a secure border and immigration policies that prioritize American workers. I led the fight to hold China responsible for taking our jobs and giving us COVID. I led the House fight to protect the unborn and keep girls’ sports safe.

“I have been on the frontlines to defend and protect America. In the Senate, I will do it in an even greater way.”

Braun filed paperwork in November in order to run for Indiana governor 2024. Republican Eric Holcomb’s term will be limited. Former Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Victoria Spartz and former Gov. All three of the candidates for the GOP primary seat to replace the first-term senator are reportedly Mitch Daniels.

Banks, a fourth-term congressman was the chair of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), during the 117th Congress. The RSC was home to several politicians, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio. Banks was seeking the GOP’s whip position in the 118th Congress. However, he lost nine votes to Rep. Tom Emmer, the Chair of the then-National Republican Congressional Committee.

Since 2012, Indiana’s former Treasurer Richard Mourdock was defeated by Joe Donnelly, Democrats haven’t won a statewide election. Braun defeated Donnelly by 5.9 percentage points in his 2018 election. In 2020, former President Donald Trump won the state with 16 points.

Banks received endorsements from Larry Bucshon (Republican Indiana), Michelle Davis (State Rep. Michelle Davis), Justin Busch (Sen. Arkansas) and Tom Cotton (Republican Arkansas Senator).

“For six years, he’s been an indispensable companion in the House and I know that he will continue to be a strong partner in Senate.” Cotton stated that Jim is a conservative fighter who always puts Hoosiers first, and that he was proud to endorse him.