Brandon Sakbun
Brandon Sakbun | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana | |
| Assumed office January 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Duke Bennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1996 (age 27–28) Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Indiana University |
Brandon Sakbun (born 1996) is a former United States Army captain and the current mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Early life and education
[edit]Sakbun was born in 1996 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Dr. Vannara Sakbun and Mrs. Carlene Sakbun.[1] One of his parents is an immigrant from Cambodia and the other is an immigrant from Jamaica.[2] 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.[3][4]
Sakbun has two sisters, one of which, Apsara, represented Cambodia in swimming in the 2024 Summer Olympics.[5]
Army career
[edit]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.[3] Shortly prior to becoming mayor, Sakbun transitioned to the Indiana National Guard.[6]
Mayoral candidacy
[edit]On January 31, 2023, Sakbun announced his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, running as a Democrat.[7] 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.[8][9] He was notable for his "inexhaustible energy" displayed while campaigning.[4][10]
Election
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Democratic
[edit]- Brandon Sakbun, member of the Indiana National Guard and former Army Captain
- Pat Goodwin, engineer[11]
Republican
[edit]- Duke Bennett, incumbent mayor (2008-2023)
Democratic primary
[edit]In the Democratic primary, Sakbun defeated Goodwin by a margin of 54%-46%.
| 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
[edit]Incumbent mayor Bennett was nominated without opposition.
General election
[edit]In the general election, Sakbun defeated Bennett by a margin of 60%-40%, making him the youngest mayor in Terre Haute history.[13]
| 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
[edit]Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Baumgarth, Clayton (2023-11-08). "Longtime Terre Haute mayor ousted by political newcomer". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ Ekpenyong, Okon (December 20, 2023). "Brandon Sakbun: The 27 Years old History-Making Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana". New Americans Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "MEET BRANDON | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Berney, Jack (June 27, 2024). "Former South swimmer Apsara Sakbun to swim for Cambodia in 2024 Olympics". WANE 15.
- ^ Essex, Chris (2023-11-07). "Brandon Sakbun defeats incumbent Duke Bennett to serve as Terre Haute's mayor". WTHI-TV. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ "Brandon Sakbun announces his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute". MyWabashValley.com. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "PLATFORM | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ Tribune-Star, David Kronke | (2023-11-07). "Sakbun defeats Bennett for Terre Haute mayor". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ "Resume | Goodwin for Commissioner". 2021-01-15. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ WTHI-TV. "Election Results". WTHI-TV. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ Benter, Brandyn. "Brandon Sakbun wins Terre Haute Mayoral Race". WTWO Terre Haute via MSN.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ "Election Results General Election | wthitv.com". 2023-11-11. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.