Hoosier Pride

CEO becomes first out gay man to run for Indiana governorship

Josh Owens has just made history. The CEO of shopping website SupplyKick has announced his bid for the governorship of Indiana, becoming the first openly gay man to make a run for the office.

“I’m running for Governor now because I believe in an Indiana where teachers are paid what they deserve and where all are welcomed, respected and protected,” Owens said in his announcement. “We need a leader who will ensure our state budget, policies and laws reflect a bold and inclusive vision for collective Hoosier success. Today, many Indiana teachers have to work second jobs and even then, they spend their own money on classroom supplies. As a businessman, I know every Hoosier in the workplace matters, and leadership is required to solve this problem and finally pay them fairly.”

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Owens, who is running as a Democrat, also includes a platform of enacting protections for LGBTQ people in the workplace and in housing. Before stepping into the office of CEO of SupplyKick, he served as a professor of economics at Butler University. He also held the chair of the Indiana Charter School Board, after then-governor Mike Pence appointed him to the position.

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