In a disappointing blow to the GOP, former Indiana Republican Mitch Daniels announced he won't be launching a campaign for Senate.
Daniels's announcement serves as a significant blow to Republicans who had long hoped he would enter the race in the Hoosier State as Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) is leaving to run for governor. (RELATED: Mike Braun Officially Files to Run for Governor)
In a statement, Daniels, 73, explained to The Hill that he is not cut out to serve as a legislator or to live in Washington at this time in life.
“After what I hope was adequate reflection, I've decided not to become a candidate for the U.S. Senate. With full credit and respect for the institution and those serving in it, I conclude that it's just not the job for me, not the town for me, and not the life I want to live at this point,” Daniels wrote.
“I have never imagined that I would be well-suited to legislative office, particularly where seniority remains a significant factor in one's effectiveness, and I saw nothing in my recent explorations that altered that view,” Daniels said, adding that if he had run, he would only have done so for one term.
Daniels stressed in his announcement that he would have worked to lower the “personal vitriol” and temperature across the nation's political sphere.
“I would have tried to work on these matters in a way that might soften the harshness and personal vitriol that has infected our public square, rendering it not only repulsive to millions of Americans, but also less capable of effective action to meet our threats and seize our opportunities,” he said.
Daniels' decision to stay out of the race likely alleviates some of the expected Republican infighting during the primaries between Daniels and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) The move would have represented a proxy battle between the establishment and the MAGA wings of the party, with conservative lawmakers already lining up behind the sitting congressman.
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