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] Cambodia and the other is an immigrant from Jamaica .[ 2] Terre Haute South Vigo High School . 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
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] Indiana National Guard .[ 6]
Mayoral candidacy
On January 31, 2023, Sakbun announced his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, running as a Democrat .[ 7] 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] [ 4] [ 10]
Election
Candidates
Democratic
Republican
Duke Bennett, incumbent mayor (2008-2023)
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.[ 13]
Mayoral tenure
Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024.[ 8]
References
^ 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 .