Brandon Sakbun

Brandon Sakbun
Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2024
Preceded by	Duke Bennett
Personal details
Born	1996 (age 28–29) Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Relatives	Apsara Sakbun (sister)
Education	Indiana University Bloomington (BA, MPA)

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] Sakbun attended 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] Shortly prior to becoming mayor, Sakbun transitioned to the 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] 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

Candidates

Democratic

• Brandon Sakbun, member of the Indiana National Guard and former Army Captain
• Pat Goodwin, engineer[11]

Republican

• Duke Bennett, incumbent mayor (2008-2023)

Democratic primary

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

Democratic primary results[12]

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.[13]

General election result[14]

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 was sworn into office in January 2024.[8]

References

1. Baumgarth, Clayton (2023-11-08). "Longtime Terre Haute mayor ousted by political newcomer". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
2. 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.
3. "MEET BRANDON | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
4. 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.
5. Berney, Jack (June 27, 2024). "Former South swimmer Apsara Sakbun to swim for Cambodia in 2024 Olympics". WANE 15.
6. Essex, Chris (2023-11-07). "Brandon Sakbun defeats incumbent Duke Bennett to serve as Terre Haute's mayor". WTHI-TV. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
7. "Brandon Sakbun announces his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute". MyWabashValley.com. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
8. 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.
9. "PLATFORM | Sakbun for Mayor". Sakbunformayor. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
10. Tribune-Star, David Kronke | (2023-11-07). "Sakbun defeats Bennett for Terre Haute mayor". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
11. "Resume | Goodwin for Commissioner". 2021-01-15. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
12. WTHI-TV. "Election Results". WTHI-TV. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
13. Benter, Brandyn. "Brandon Sakbun wins Terre Haute Mayoral Race". WTWO Terre Haute via MSN.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
14. "Election Results General Election | wthitv.com". 2023-11-11. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.