Governor Eric Holcomb, who has faced criticism throughout his tenure for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, is once again under fire—this time on social media. After posting a photo of himself receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, Holcomb was met with a wave of backlash, highlighting the lingering resentment many Hoosiers feel about his pandemic policies.
A former Republican congressional candidate took to Holcomb's post, sarcastically commenting, "Did you get your lame duck vaccine?"—a clear jab at the governor, who has been increasingly seen as a lame-duck figure in Indiana politics as he nears the end of his term. Another user, sharing the same last name as the governor, remarked bluntly, “Embarrassed we share the same last name.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. A verified user chimed in with a stronger rebuke, saying, “He’s been bought! 🤮 DON’T get the jab EVER!!” The sentiment captures the ongoing skepticism many conservatives have toward the COVID-19 vaccine, especially in light of revelations that Holcomb’s campaign received donations from pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Pfizer. These companies played a significant role in the rollout of the vaccine during the pandemic, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
While it is true that Eli Lilly and Pfizer contributed to Holcomb’s campaign, these donations occurred during a period when both companies were securing government contracts to distribute vaccines across the U.S. Critics argue that the governor's acceptance of these donations, combined with his harsh pandemic mandates, reflects a disconnection from the frustrations many Hoosiers felt during the pandemic.
Holcomb’s executive orders, which included lockdowns and mask mandates, sparked intense backlash from constituents across the political spectrum. In 2020, thousands of Hoosiers participated in a "One Million Hoosier March" at the Indiana State Capitol, protesting the governor’s mandates. The event saw Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents come together to voice their opposition, a rare display of political unity. Elected officials from both sides of the aisle spoke out against Holcomb, urging him to reconsider the impact of his policies on businesses and individual freedoms.
As Holcomb nears the end of his term, the debate over his handling of the pandemic continues to define his legacy. For many, the recent social media uproar is just the latest example of a governor who, in their view, overstepped his authority during one of the most difficult times in Indiana’s history.
The fallout from his pandemic decisions, compounded by his association with pharmaceutical companies, has only widened the divide between Holcomb and many within his own party. As Hoosiers continue to discuss and reflect on the governor’s actions, it remains to be seen how these controversies will influence the state’s political landscape moving forward.