INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): Republican leaders wasted no time in responding to Glenda Ritz‘s entry into the governor‘s race. 

Governor Pence has not commented on the new candidacy of the Democratic state superintendent with whom he has often been at odds, likely because Pence isn‘t officially a candidate. His re-election announcement will come later this month at the Indiana Republican Party‘s spring dinner. 

But the chairman of the state GOP put out a statement on Ritz almost immediately after her brief campaign announcement was completed Thursday morning. “Glenda Ritz does not have a successful track record of leading those in her own department, let alone managing contracts or implementing effective policies,” said Jeff Cardwell in the statement. “Hoosiers have time to decide who will be Indiana’s next leader, and I’m confident they will vote to keep our state on the right track of growth, opportunity and fiscal health.” 

Cardwell also touted Pence in his statement. “In Indiana, leadership matters and Gov. Mike Pence has proven to be a strong conservative voice whose principles and policies have continued to move Indiana forward,” Cardwell said. 

Ritz will likely make Pence the focus of her campaign given their differences on almost every education policy since they both were elected in November 2012. Ritz has often accused Pence of maneuvering to remove various duties from her Department of Education. 

It appears Republicans figure Ritz or 2012 nominee John Gregg to win the primary, since Cardwell issued statements after each of their campaign announcements. He did not comment on the entry of state Senator Karen Tallian into the Democratic race last month. So far, Tallian and Gregg have not responded to requests for comment on Ritz‘s candidacy.