Indiana GOP candidates for governor make their pitch to voters at debate in Sen. Braun’s absence | Politics [Video]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Five gubernatorial candidates sought to undermine each other’s records during a final debate Tuesday night ahead of Indiana’s May 7 GOP primary, but took few shots at the absent U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, who is considered the front-runner of the crowded field.

Braun, who has former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, skipped the event and instead attended a vote in Washington on a $95 billion foreign aid package for U.S. allies including Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan.

On the debate stage, his electoral rivals largely tried to pitch their experience in government as an advantage, not a flaw, and played up popular positions among Republican voters including support for the state’s abortion ban and opposition to federal immigration policies.

Whoever wins will be the favorite in November’s general election, as the state reliably elects Republicans. Tuesday’s debate was the last to be televised before the primary vote.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch— a familiar name after running twice alongside current Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is barred …