The 2024 GOP primary comes to Indiana

Plus: Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer previews 2023 municipal elections

Ron DeSantis—who has taken a nosedive in fundraising and the polls—is headed to Indianapolis this week looking for a jolt from a fundraiser luncheon in the backyard of fellow Republican rival Mike Pence.

But there has been some speculation DeSantis may not get exactly what he’s looking for among Hoosier Republicans: Mario Massillamany, the Hamilton County Republican chairman, blasted out a last-minute appeal, his second try to rustle up warm bodies who could fork over at least $1,000, to his e-mail list this week. “Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Governor DeSantis speak and engage with like-minded individuals and discuss his vision for our country,” he plead.

A tale of two Pence allies—Braun's fundraising $—Why Rust can't run

Will some central Indiana Republicans not show out of their loyalty to Pence? It’s hard to say at the moment.

State Rep. Chris Jeter, one of the event’s organizers along with erstwhile Pence ally and GOP powerbroker Bob Grand, told me in an interview the goal is to raise $500,000. (Pence raised north of $250,000 grand at his recent Indianapolis fundraiser).