IN-2: Rep. Walorski Succession Situation

The death of Indiana five-term Republican Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-Elkhart) is leading to a confusion succession situation.  Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) must call a special election to fill the unexpired portion of the late Representative’s term, and is expected to schedule that election concurrently with the regular general election on November 8th. 

The nomination process, however, is another matter.  Under Indiana vacancy succession procedure, the District chairman, in this case the 2nd Congressional District chairman, would name the party nominee.  That individual, however, is Zach Potts, an aide to Rep. Walorski who was the reported driver of the vehicle in which all perished.  Therefore, the local party members will first have to elect a new district chairman who will have the power to name the congressional candidate and likely next member of the House in a district that rates R+26 according to the FiveThirtyEight data organization. 
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The Democratic chairman is likely to name environmental consultant Paul Steury, the party’s regular election nominee, as their party’s special election candidate.