But other primaries have attracted high-dollar spending as warring groups of national Republicans attempt to have a hand in shaping the conference. Here are the races to watch this week: — IN-Gov: The top-of-the-ticket race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is chock full of superlatives: the most expensive primary ever here at $40 million, and the largest field in the state’s modern history, with six candidates vying to be the nominee in what all but amounts to the deep-red state’s general election. Braun, backed by former President Donald Trump, is the favorite, and is benefiting from that historically large field that includes Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and former state commerce secretary Brad Chambers, both of whom have outspent Braun but barely laid a glove on him. The race has largely been litigated over national issues like China’s rise and immigration, leading both Holcomb and former Gov. Mitch Daniels to criticize the candidates for not focusing on the state. The most damaging hit on Braun has been his brief support for changing qualified immunity for law enforcement officials during the summer 2020 racial justice protests, as well as him saying he supported the Black Lives Matter movement, and would march with them. On the Democratic side, Jennifer McCormick, elected in 2016 statewide as a former Republican superintendent of public instruction, has the Indiana Democratic Party’s backing. If Braun, a former Democrat, wins, that will mean a former Democrat running as Republican will be taking on a former Republican running as a Democrat. — IN-03: Millions of dollars from outside groups have poured into the race for this seat — which is open as Banks runs for Senate — on attack ads, primarily targeting former Rep. Marlin Stutzman, nonprofit executive Tim Smith and former county judge Wendy Davis. America Leads Action, a super PAC backed by prominent party donors that has played in House races nationally this cycle in an attempt to block troublesome candidates, has spent more than $1 million against Stutzman, hitting him heavily on immigration, according to ad tracker AdImpact. But he has plenty of reinforcement: Club for Growth Action has dropped over $700,000 attacking Smith and Davis. And Protect Freedom PAC, Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) group, and House Freedom Action, which is aligned with the Freedom Caucus, have, combined, spent around as much as the Club in support of Stutzman. Davis, meanwhile, has the backing of Winning For Women Action Fund. — IN-05: Rep. Victoria Spartz, the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress, is fending off the challenge of her political life from state Rep. Chuck Goodrich after reversing her decision to retire. The race has been defined by Goodrich, a self-funder, assailing her support for Ukraine. (She recently voted against most funding in Congress.) But it has also been shaped by deeply personal attacks: Spartz recently sent out a mailer with Goodrich in a pink tutu arguing that Goodrich “is just another liberal playing dress up.” A number of the district’s prominent mayors have backed Goodrich. The crowded field also includes Max Engling, who was an aide to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, among others. — IN-06: It’s another high-dollar primary in the busy ruby-red seat to replace retiring Republican Rep. Greg Pence, thanks largely to Jefferson Shreve, who unsuccessfully ran for Indianapolis mayor last year. Just a couple months off of his November loss — which he spent millions of his own money on — Shreve has loaned his congressional campaign close to $6 million. He’s bombarded the airwaves, placing around $5 million of advertisements. That’s four times as much as his closest competitor, state Rep. Mike Speedy. A handful of other Republicans are also vying for the seat, including current and former state legislators. — IN-08: There’s another Republican free-for-all in the “Bloody 8th,” with more than a half-dozen candidates looking to succeed Republican Rep. Larry Bucshon, who’s heading for the exits. The primary has seen millions of dollars in spending from national groups — much of which is to block former Rep. John Hostettler from returning to Washington. United Democracy Project, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s super PAC, along with America Leads Action have spent more than $3 million on advertising combined against Hostettler, with ads attacking him in part for past votes against Israel and others that were in line with Democrats. The Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund, which got involved in the race because of Hostettler’s Israel record, has put in more than $1 million to boost state Sen. Mark Messmer. (Hostettler is also getting support from Paul’s Protect Freedom PAC, as well as American Leadership PAC, which is boosting Banks in the Senate race.) Happy Monday. Thanks to Adam (awren@politico.com, @adamwren) for the assist on today’s top. Reach me at mfernandez@politico.com and @madfernandez616. Days until the Indiana primaries: 1 Days until the North Carolina runoffs and Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia primaries: 8 Days until the Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky and Oregon primaries: 15 Days until the Texas runoffs: 22 Days until the Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota primaries: 29 Days until the Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina primaries: 36 Days until the Oklahoma and Virginia primaries: 43 Days until the Colorado, New York and Utah primaries: 50 Days until the Republican National Convention: 72 Days until the Democratic National Convention: 105 Days until the 2024 election: 183
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