Career Timeline of Mike Braun: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mike Braun, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Michael "Mike" Braun is an American politician and businessman who has served as the 52nd Governor of Indiana since 2025. Prior to his governorship, Braun represented Indiana in the United States Senate from 2019 to 2025. His political career also includes a stint in the Indiana House of Representatives, where he represented the 63rd district from 2014 to 2017. Before entering politics, Braun was involved in business.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1980: Highest Margin in Open Seat Election

In 2024, Michael Braun won the gubernatorial election by the highest margin in an open seat election for governor since 1980.

1980: Largest margin for an open governor's seat

On November 5, Michael Braun won Indiana's gubernatorial election by the largest margin for an open governor's seat since 1980.

1986: Acquired Meyer Body Inc.

In 1986, Michael Braun and Daryl Rauscher acquired Meyer Body Inc., a manufacturer of truck bodies and distributor of truck parts and equipment.

1995: Fully Acquired Meyer Body Inc.

In 1995, Michael Braun fully acquired Meyer Body Inc.

1999: Renamed Meyer Body Inc.

In 1999, Michael Braun renamed Meyer Body Inc. to Meyer Distributing.

2004: Joined Jasper School Board

From 2004, Michael Braun was a member of the Jasper School Board.

2012: Switched to Republican Party

In 2012, Michael Braun switched his party affiliation from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

2014: Served in Indiana House of Representatives

From 2014, Michael Braun served in the Indiana House of Representatives.

2014: Elected to Indiana House

In 2014, Michael Braun was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 63rd district.

2014: Member of Jasper School Board

Until 2014, Michael Braun was a member of the Jasper School Board.

November 1, 2017: Resigned from State House

On November 1, 2017, Michael Braun resigned from the Indiana State House to focus on his U.S. Senate campaign.

2017: Supported Republican Tax Legislation

In 2017, Michael Braun supported the Republican Party's tax legislation and stated that tax cuts are a revenue-neutral way to boost the economy.

2017: Served in Indiana House of Representatives

In 2017, Michael Braun was serving as the representative for the 63rd district in the Indiana House of Representatives.

2018: Supported Trump's Trade Policies

In 2018, Michael Braun supported Trump's trade and tariff policies, citing their "phenomenal results."

2018: Elected to the United States Senate

In 2018, Michael Braun was elected to the United States Senate, defeating Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly.

2018: Won Republican Primary and General Election

In 2018, Michael Braun won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate and defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly in the November general election.

January 3, 2019: Sworn in as US Senator

On January 3, 2019, Michael Braun was sworn in as the junior United States senator from Indiana by Vice President Mike Pence.

October 2019: Founded Climate Solutions Caucus

In October 2019, Michael Braun founded the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.

2019: Became US Senator

In 2019, Michael Braun began his service as a United States senator from Indiana.

June 2020: Introduced Legislation to Reform Qualified Immunity

In June 2020, Mike Braun introduced legislation aimed at reforming qualified immunity following the murder of George Floyd. The proposed legislation sought to make it easier to sue police officers for rights violations.

October 26, 2020: Voted to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett

On October 26, 2020, Michael Braun voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

May 2021: Opposed Reform to Qualified Immunity

In May 2021, Mike Braun publicly stated his opposition to any reform of the current doctrine of qualified immunity and opposed federal efforts to reform local police departments, reversing his stance from the previous year.

September 2021: Opposed COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

In September 2021, Mike Braun opposed the planned COVID-19 vaccine mandate for companies with more than 100 employees, calling it the "biggest overreach by federal government I've seen". He authored the Senate disapproval resolution challenging President Biden's OSHA vaccine mandate for businesses.

October 2021: Invited Suspended Chicago Police Officers to Work in Indiana

In October 2021, Mike Braun invited Chicago police officers who were suspended for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to work in Indiana, stating that "plenty of departments are hiring now".

March 2022: Comments on Roe v. Wade and Interracial Marriage

In March 2022, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson, Mike Braun stated that Roe v. Wade was a case of "judicial activism". He then suggested that decisions on interracial marriage should be left to the states, but later retracted the statement.

November 30, 2022: Filed Papers for Gubernatorial Election

On November 30, 2022, Michael Braun officially filed papers to run in the 2024 Indiana gubernatorial election.

2022: Planned Gubernatorial Run

In 2022, it was reported that Michael Braun would run for governor of Indiana in 2024 instead of seeking reelection to the Senate.

May 7, 2024: Won Republican Primary

On May 7, 2024, Michael Braun, endorsed by Donald Trump, won the Republican primary for governor.

2024: Run in the Indiana gubernatorial election

In 2024, Michael Braun ran in the Indiana gubernatorial election.

2024: Elected Governor of Indiana

In 2024, Michael Braun was elected governor of Indiana, defeating Democratic nominee Jennifer McCormick and Libertarian nominee Donald Rainwater with a significant margin.

2024: Planned Gubernatorial Run

In 2024, Michael Braun would run for governor of Indiana instead of seeking reelection to the Senate.

February 2025: Declined Support for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

In February 2025, Mike Braun declined to support a state 50% match for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, leading to concerns about the program's funding.