| Office: | Mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana |
| Termstart: | January 2024 |
| Birth Place: | Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Education: | Indiana University |
| Predecessor: | Duke Bennett |
Brandon Sakbun (born 1996) is a former United States Army captain and the current 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] 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]
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. Shortly prior to becoming mayor, Sakbun transitioned to the Indiana National Guard.[5]
On January 31, 2023, Sakbun announced his candidacy for mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana, running as a Democrat.[6] 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.[7] [8] He was notable for his "inexhaustible energy" displayed while campaigning.[9]
In the Democratic primary, Sakbun defeated Goodwin by a margin of 54%-46%.
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.[11]
Sakbun was sworn into office in January 2024.