Gov. Braun says he has not endorsed Diego Morales, backs Ready Initiative expansion and will review gas-tax suspension

During a question-and-answer session after the Memorial Day safety briefing, Gov. Braun addressed several political and policy queries, saying he has not endorsed Diego Morales, supports expanding the Ready Initiative and will review whether to continue a temporary gas-tax suspension that is set to expire June 7.

Asked whether he would continue to support Diego Morales amid calls from Republican leaders for Morales to suspend his campaign, Braun said, "I've never made an endorsement. . . . I respect the process." He added that he favors transparency and competition among delegates and does not plan to change his stance now.

On the Ready Initiative, Braun said he "likes the Ready Initiative" and under his administration plans to "probably do more of it," favoring programs where communities and businesses put "skin in the game." He said the state will look to invest dividends to promote enterprise across the state’s 15 regions and support Main Street economic growth.

When asked about extending a gas-tax suspension, Braun noted a legal nuance raised by Speaker Houston suggesting pausing the tax can be treated as an energy emergency, and said he will "look at that again a few that week before it's due to expire." He cautioned that pausing the tax reduces resources for infrastructure when prices for concrete and steel remain high and said he would weigh flexibility to continue the pause against infrastructure funding needs.

Braun also expressed shock and sympathy after reporters raised the sudden death of racer Kyle Busch, calling it a "gut punch" and offering condolences to the family. On violent juvenile crime in Indianapolis, he said the state must examine root causes and pursue better policies while keeping state police interdictions and assistance in mind.

The governor’s remarks emphasized process and restraint on endorsements, willingness to expand a state economic initiative, and a deliberative approach to the temporary gas-tax pause ahead of the June 7 expiration.