State winners in Tuesday’s election commented on their wins.
The Times-Union interviewed the winners via phone Tuesday night after results came in.
Republican Mike Pence received the most votes for governor. Pence replaces Republican Governor Mitch Daniels.
Pence defeated Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rupert Boneham.
Pence said he is humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve as governor.
“Indiana has made great progress over the past eight years, and I look forward to sitting down with Governor Daniels to plan an orderly transition and make plans to build on the progress we’ve made and make Indiana the state that works,” Pence said.
Democrat Joe Donnelly won the U.S. Senate seat. He replaces Republican Richard Lugar.
Donnelly thanked his opponents, Republican Richard Mourdock and Libertarian Andy Horning, for what he called their “spirited campaigns.”
He said he will work on the economy as senator.
“This is about our future, and to see our economy grow and working together in Washington we can solve these budget and deficit problems and make sure men and women come home from Afghanistan,” Donnelly said.
He said there has been a tradition of bipartisanship in the U.S. Senate, like former Senators Lugar and Evan Bayh, who worked together and whose focus was on what was right for the country.
Donnelly said he hopes to keep that tradition.
Jackie Walorski won the U.S. District 2 representative seat, defeating Democrat Brendan Mullen and Libertarian Joseph Wayne Ruiz.
Walorski said she is humbled in winning the seat and thanked the voters.
“I have been able to connect with a lot of Hoosiers that have resonated our message of taking what we have done in Indiana to Washington,” Walorski said. “That means working together and rolling up our sleeves.”
Republican Marlin Stutzman was re-elected to the U.S. District 3 representative seat.
Stutzman said from the beginning when he ran for office, he’s been focused on doing his job right, working hard at constituent services and on policies.
“I will continue to focus on fighting to reduce the debt and for a balanced budget and do the right things to get the economy growing again,” Stutzman said.
He also said he will continue to fight to repeal Obamacare and the medical device tax.
Republican Rebecca Kubacki was re-elected to the State Representative District 22 seat, defeating Democrat Chris Wright.
Kubacki said big issues that were passed while she has served were right to work and education reform.
“I know some people were not happy with that, but I knew passing those were the right thing to do,” Kubacki said.
Kubacki said she will continue to support early childhood education so all children have a level playing field.
Republican Dave Wolkins was re-elected to the State Representative District 18 seat. Wolkins defeated Democrat Chris Wright.
Wolkins said he would like to continue to combine commissions and make government more efficient.
Wolkins co-chairs the Government Reduction and House Environmental Committees and said he would like to continue focusing on those committees.
