Brandon Sakbun | |
|---|---|
 Sakbun in 2025 | |
| 43rd Mayor of Terre Haute | |
| 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 an American politician and former United States Army captain,currently serving as the mayor of Terre Haute,Indiana.
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 Bloomington's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Kelley School of Business,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]
In 2018,Sakbun received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He was in the army for 5 years,rising to the rank of Captain. He also served on several strike teams with the 75th Ranger Regiment. Shortly prior to becoming mayor,Sakbun transitioned to the Indiana National Guard. [6]
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]
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% | ||
Incumbent mayor Bennett was nominated without opposition.
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 | ||||
Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024. [8]
In Sakbun's first year,he improved city infrastructure,increased the housing stock for the city,rebuilt parks,and invested in public safety. He became well known for his bipartisan pragmatic approach to government. [15]