US ELECTIONS: Fossil fuel advocate Holcomb wins reelection as governor in Indiana: AP

Republican incumbent Eric Holcomb, a fossil fuel advocate, held onto his seat as governor of Indiana Nov. 3, defeating former Indiana health commissioner Woody Myers.

Holcomb had about 63% of votes with 16% of districts reporting, according to The Associated Press, which called the race.

Holcomb supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy that has room for renewable resources, but touts the benefits of coal and natural gas. Neither climate change nor the environment made his top five list of priorities.

Indiana ranks seventh among US states in coal production and second in coal consumption. In 2019, coal fueled 59% of Indiana's net power generation, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Renewables accounted for just 7% of the state's generation in 2019.

The Democratic challenger in the race had made climate change one of his top priorities, and viewed the issue as a public health and national security threat.

He campaigned on moving away from coal and more aggressively pursuing renewable energy. He also sought to bring back net metering and offer rebates and credits for clean technologies.

Holcomb maintained a comfortable lead in the polls throughout his campaign in a state that has long been a Republican stronghold and is home to Vice President Mike Pence, who served as governor of the state before heading to the White House. Holcomb served as Pence's lieutenant governor from 2016-2017.