Melton To Explore Gubernatorial Run

Sen. Eddie Melton (D-Gary) will announce Tuesday evening he’s exploring a bid for governor.

Melton is the first Democrat to take formal steps towards a 2020 gubernatorial run.

Melton is a first-term senator, elected in 2016. The Gary lawmaker also works for NIPSCO, a northern Indiana natural gas and electric company. In the Senate, he’s the highest-ranking Democrat on the Education Committee, having previously served on the State Board of Education.

Melton is forming a gubernatorial exploratory committee, launching a so-called “statewide listening tour” at the headquarters of the Gary Teachers Union.

If he runs and earns the Democratic nomination, Melton – who also serves as deputy chair of the Indiana Democratic Party – would be the first person of color from a major party to run for governor in the Hoosier State.

Gov. Eric Holcomb (R-Ind.) is widely expected to run for re-election.