Indiana Republicans on Saturday picked Rudy Yakym to replace U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski on the November ballot, after Yakym won the endorsement of the late Indiana congresswoman’s husband.
Yakym will be a heavy favorite in the November election against Democrat Paul Steury, a high school science teacher from Goshen, and Libertarian William Henry. He will run both to complete Walorski’s term that ends this year and for a full two-year term. Both elections will be on the November ballot.
Yakym received the most votes from Republican precinct committee members for their party’s nomination in northern Indiana’s solidly GOP 2nd Congressional District. The district represents northern Indiana, including most cities where RV manufacturers and suppliers are based.
He won the general election ballot vacancy through the balloting process and the special election ballot vacancy via acclamation, Indiana Republican Party spokesman Luke Thomas said in an email.
Indiana Sen. Todd Young congratulated Yakym on the win.
“I’ll look forward to partnering on conservative, solution-based policies that benefit all Hoosiers,” Young said.
Yakym, 38, is an executive with Elkhart distribution company Kem Krest and was a longtime political ally of Walorski, including working as finance director for her first winning congressional campaign in 2012.
He overcame a dozen candidates. Walorski’s husband, Dean Swihart, endorsed Yakym this past week for the Republican nomination.
About 500 Republican activists were eligible to vote in the caucus.
Former Vice President and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence sent along his congratulations to Yakym.
“Congratulations to our dear friend, Sallyann and their whole family on winning the Republican caucus nomination today,” Pence said. “Rudy will be a great conservative congressman.”
Yakym portrayed himself as someone who would continue Walorski’s work on conservative causes.
