Brandon Sakbun
Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana
Assuming office
SucceedingDuke Bennett

Brandon Sakbun (born 1996), is a former United States Army captain and the current mayor-elect of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Early life and education

Sakbun was born in 1996 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Dr. Vannara Sakbun and Mrs. Carlene Sakbun.[1] After graduating from high school, he attended Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where he received a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in public affairs, and trained to join the army.[2][3]

Army career

In 2018, Sakbun received a commission to join the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. He was in the army for 5 years, rising to the rank of Army Captain. He also served on several strike teams and was a lower-level foreign policy advisor to Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Shortly prior to becoming mayor, Sakbun transitioned to the Indiana National Guard.[2][4]

Mayoral candidacy

On January 31, 2023, Sakbun announced his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, running as a Democrat.[5] The incumbent mayor was Republican Duke Bennett, who had been in office since 2008 and was running for a fifth term in office. Sakbun ran a campaign based on expanding and improving infrastructure and improving educational and job opportunities in the city.[6][7] He was notable for his "inexhaustible energy" displayed while campaigning.[3][8]

Election

Candidates

Democratic
Republican

Democratic primary

In the Democratic primary, Sakbun defeated Goodwin by a margin of 54%-46%.

Democratic primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Sakbun 2,414 56.2%
Democratic Pat Goodwin 2,034 45.8%
Total votes 4,448 100.00%

Republican primary

Incumbent mayor Bennett was nominated without opposition.

General election

In the general election, Sakbun defeated Bennett by a margin of 60%-40%, making him the youngest mayor in Terre Haute history.[11]

General election result[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Sakbun 5,666 59.9%
Republican Duke Bennett 3,806 40.1%
Total votes 9,472 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Mayoral Tenure

Sakbun will take office in January 2024.[6]

References

  1. ^ Baumgarth, Clayton (2023-11-08). "Longtime Terre Haute mayor ousted by political newcomer". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  2. ^ a b "MEET BRANDON | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  3. ^ a b Board, Tribune-Star Editorial (2023-11-10). "Tribune-Star Editorial: City voters like what they see in Brandon Sakbun". Cleburne Times-Review. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  4. ^ Essex, Chris (2023-11-07). "Brandon Sakbun defeats incumbent Duke Bennett to serve as Terre Haute's mayor". WTHI-TV. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  5. ^ "Brandon Sakbun announces his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute". MyWabashValley.com. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  6. ^ a b Bryant, Caleb (2023-11-09). "Mayor-elect Brandon Sakbun has big plans for Terre Haute - here's what he told us in a one-on-one interview". WTHI-TV. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  7. ^ "PLATFORM | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  8. ^ Tribune-Star, David Kronke | (2023-11-07). "Sakbun defeats Bennett for Terre Haute mayor". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  9. ^ "Resume | Goodwin for Commissioner". 2021-01-15. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  10. ^ WTHI-TV. "Election Results". WTHI-TV. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Benter, Brandyn. "Brandon Sakbun wins Terre Haute Mayoral Race". WTWO Terre Haute via MSN.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  12. ^ "Election Results General Election | wthitv.com". 2023-11-11. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
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