Screenshot from Doden’s advertisement

Gubernatorial candidate Eric Doden released the campaign season’s first television ad for the 2024 race, promising it was only the beginning of a statewide $2 million push this fall.

The video opens with a young boy and grandfather inside of a church learning from the Book of James, depicting Doden’s own childhood growing up with a preacher grandfather. In a release, the campaign said the candidate’s character and leadership philosophy “(were) rooted in his faith … learning the wisdom of the book of James: faith is the foundation of your life, and actions put faith to work.”

In the TV ad, Doden touts his economic development record, efforts to revitalize Fort Wayne and stance against abortion rights. Previously, the businessman served as the president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under former Gov. Mike Pence.

“Eric Doden is a visionary leader who is dedicated to giving Hoosiers an even better way of life,” the ad narrator says. “And that’s what he’ll do as governor.”

Though Doden brought in $1.8 million in the last fundraising quarter, roughly one-third of that funding came from his father and other large donations have similar ties to the wealthy Doden family. However, in contrast to his opponents, Doden has released detailed campaign proposals, such as a zero-cost adoption fund and a state income tax exemption for teachers.

Others hopefuls are just now starting to wade into policy issues.

Doden, the first candidate to launch a gubernatorial bid in May 2021, was also the first to publicize a digital ad campaign last fall. Gov. Eric Holcomb is term-limited and can’t run again but several other prominent Republicans are vying for the position: U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and former Attorney General Curtis Hill.

Additionally, Doden may not be the only former economic development leader in the race. Brad Chambers’ resignation as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce has fueled rumors that he will also announce his intent to run for the seat.

Indiana Capital Chronicle’s website is indianacapitalchronicle.com.