Brandon Sakbun Explained

Office:Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana
Termstart:January 2024
Birth Place:Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:Indiana University
Predecessor:Duke Bennett

Brandon Sakbun (born 1996) is a former United States Army captain and the current mayor 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] 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]

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.[5]

Mayoral candidacy

On January 31, 2023, Sakbun announced his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, running as a Democrat.[6] 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.[7] [8] He was notable for his "inexhaustible energy" displayed while campaigning.[9]

Election

Candidates

Democratic
Republican

Democratic primary

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

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]

Mayoral tenure

Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baumgarth . Clayton . 2023-11-08 . Longtime Terre Haute mayor ousted by political newcomer . 2023-11-11 . WFYI Public Media . en-us.
  2. Web site: Brandon Sakbun: The 27 Years old History-Making Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana. December 20, 2023. July 24, 2024. Okon. Ekpenyong. New Americans Magazine.
  3. Web site: MEET BRANDON Sakbun for Mayor . https://web.archive.org/web/20230827222736/https://www.sakbunformayor.com/meet-brandon . August 27, 2023 . 2023-11-11 . Sakbunformayor . en.
  4. Web site: Board . Tribune-Star Editorial . 2023-11-10 . Tribune-Star Editorial: City voters like what they see in Brandon Sakbun . 2023-11-11 . Cleburne Times-Review . en.
  5. Web site: Essex . Chris . 2023-11-07 . Brandon Sakbun defeats incumbent Duke Bennett to serve as Terre Haute's mayor . 2023-11-11 . WTHI-TV . en.
  6. Web site: 2023-02-01 . Brandon Sakbun announces his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute . 2023-11-11 . MyWabashValley.com . en-US.
  7. Web site: 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 . 2023-11-11 . WTHI-TV . en.
  8. Web site: PLATFORM Sakbun for Mayor . 2023-11-11 . Sakbunformayor . en.
  9. Web site: Tribune-Star . David Kronke . 2023-11-07 . Sakbun defeats Bennett for Terre Haute mayor . 2023-11-11 . Terre Haute Tribune-Star . en.
  10. Web site: 2021-01-15 . Resume Goodwin for Commissioner . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115230547/https://goodwinforterrehaute.com/resume/ . January 15, 2021 . November 11, 2021 .
  11. Web site: Benter . Brandyn . Brandon Sakbun wins Terre Haute Mayoral Race . 2023-11-11 . WTWO Terre Haute via MSN.com.