By Tyler Juranovich
Kokomo Tribune
KOKOMO, Ind. — Brad Chambers, a candidate for Indiana governor, visited Kokomo this week to hold a listening session and to drum up support for his campaign.
Chambers, the former Indiana secretary of commerce, talked to and fielded questions and concerns from a handful of local businesspeople and elected officials Wednesday at a closed door event at Pastariffic.
The founder and president for four decades of Indianapolis-based real estate development firm Buckingham Cos., Chambers announced his candidacy for governor in August, vying for the Republican nomination.
He joins a crowded Republican field that includes U.S. Sen. Mike Braun; Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch; Eric Doden, a former president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation; Curtis Hill, former Indiana Attorney General; and businesswoman Janie Reitenour.
Chambers enters the race with low name recognition amongst the general public and very little political experience, but has self-funded his campaign to the tune of $5 million, putting him on par or slightly ahead financially of his opponents.
The fact he hasn’t run for or held political office is something Chambers and his campaign are wearing as a badge of honor in hopes to appeal to voters who are skeptical of career politicians.
“I’m the only guy who’s never been in politics,” Chambers said in a brief one-on-one interview session with the Tribune. “I’m the only one of my competitors who’s self-made, started his business from nothing.”