United States Senate election in Indiana, 2012
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 55.1% (voting eligible)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
250px U.S. Senate election results map. Blue denotes counties won by Donnelly. Red denotes those won by Mourdock.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The 2012 United States Senate election in Indiana took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Richard Lugar ran for re-election to a seventh term, but was defeated in the primary by Tea Party-backed Richard Mourdock. Congressman Joe Donnelly, a moderate Democrat from Indiana's 2nd Congressional District, received his party's nomination after running unopposed in the primary contest, and then defeated both Mourdock and Libertarian Andrew Horning in the general election.
Contents
Background and overview
On November 7, 2006, incumbent Richard Lugar was unopposed by any major party candidate as no Democrat filed for the May 2006 primary. He was re-elected to his sixth six-year term with 87.3% of the vote.[2] After the 2012 election, Lugar would have had an even chance, according to Senate Republican Conference rules, to be elected as its president pro tempore.[3] However, the issue was rendered moot with Lugar's primary loss on May 9, 2012, as Indiana state law prohibits candidates from running for an election after losing a primary. Time featured the race in their Fury of the Senate article. The article mentioned how Donnelly was lucky in the fact that Murdock won out in the primary against Dick Lugar, a well-liked centrist member of the GOP. Another boost came when Murdock's remarks regarding rape helped propel Donnelly to victory.[4]
Republican primary
The Republican primary was held on May 8, 2012.
Candidates
Declared
- Richard Lugar, incumbent U.S. senator[5][6]
- Richard Mourdock, state treasurer[7]
Declined
- Mike Delph, state senator[8]
- Bob Thomas, auto dealer[9]
Campaign
Due to Lugar's unpopularity among some Tea Party voters on his positions regarding illegal immigration, voting to confirm then-U.S. Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, the DREAM Act, the START Treaty, some gun control bills, and congressional earmarks, he was challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate.[10][11]
The Indiana Debate Commission’s GOP primary debate with Sen. Richard Lugar and State Treasurer Richard Mourdock was set to air at 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 11.[12] In a widely published poll taken March 26 to 28, Lugar was still in the lead, but by the time of a second published poll from April 30 to May 1, Mourdock was leading 48% to 38% for Lugar.
Mourdock defeated Senator Lugar in the Republican primary on May 8, 2012.[13][14]
According to Indiana law, Lugar cannot be a candidate in the election (i.e., under a third party or as independent) after he lost the primary.[15]
Endorsements
<templatestyles src="Template:Hidden begin/styles.css"/>
- Mitch Daniels, Governor of Indiana[16][17]
- George P. Schultz, former U.S. Secretary of State for the Reagan administration[16][17]
- John McCain, United States Senator (R-AZ) and 2008 Republican Presidential Nominee[18]
- Pat Boone, singer, actor and writer[19]
- Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State[17]
- Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi[17]
- Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator (R-WY) and former Chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform[20]
- Becky Skillman, Lt. Governor of Indiana[17][21]
- Beverly Gard, Indiana State Senator (R-Greenfield)[21]
- Greg Ballard, Mayor of Indianapolis[22]
- William H. Hudnut, former Mayor of Indianapolis[23]
- John Dennis, Mayor of West Lafayette[23]
- Robert Stewart, former Mayor of Columbus[23]
- Frank Luntz, American political consultant, pollster, Republican Party strategist, and Fox News commentator[24]
- Tom J. Donohue, former President and CEO of the American Trucking Association, and President and CEO of U.S. Chamber of Commerce[25]
- United States Chamber of Commerce[17][25]
- National Right to Life[26]
- Christian Coalition[26]
- The Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association[17][27]
- National Defense PAC[17][28]
<templatestyles src="Template:Hidden begin/styles.css"/>
- Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee[29][30]
- Sharron Angle, former Nevada Assemblywoman and 2010 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate from Nevada[31]
- Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza and 2012 Presidential Candidate[29][32]
- Michele Bachmann, Congresswoman from Minnesota and 2012 Presidential Candidate[33]
- Rick Santorum, former Senator from Pennsylvania and 2012 Presidential Candidate[34]
- Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes and presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000[29][35]
- Mark Levin, radio talk show host[29]
- Dick Morris, political strategist, author, Fox News analyst, and former Presidential adviser to Bill Clinton[36]
- Michelle Malkin, conservative author, blogger, and commentator[37]
- Morton Blackwell, activist[29]
- Erick Erickson, managing editor of RedState[29]
- Grover Norquist, political activist and president of Americans for Tax Reform[38]
- American Conservative Union[29]
- Americans for Prosperity
- Citizens United[29][39]
- Club for Growth[29][39]
- Gun Owners of America[29][40]
- National Rifle Association[29][41]
- National Association for Gun Rights[29]
- Americans for Legal Immigration[29]
- Minuteman PAC[29]
- Minuteman Project[29]
- Tea Party Express[29][42]
- FreedomWorks[29][43]
- Family Research Council[29]
- Eagle Forum[29]
- Concerned Women for America[29]
- Indiana Right to Life[29][44]
- Republican National Coalition for Life[29]
- National Republican Trust Political Action Committee[29]
- National Federation of Republican Assemblies[29]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Richard Mourdock |
Richard Lugar |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howey Politics/DePauw University | April 30-May 1, 2012 | 700 | ± 3.7% | 48% | 38% | 14% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University | March 26–28, 2012 | 503 | ± 4.5% | 35% | 42% | 28% |
| American Viewpoint (R) | July 27–28, 2011 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 31% | 45% | 23% |
| Basswood Research (R) | July 23–24, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 34% | 32% | 34% |
Results
| Republican primary results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Richard Mourdock | 400,321 | 60.5 | |
| Republican | Richard Lugar (Incumbent) | 261,285 | 39.5 | |
| Total votes | 661,606 | 100 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Joe Donnelly, U.S. Representative[45]
Declined
- Brad Ellsworth, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010[46]
- Baron Hill, former U.S. Representative[47]
Results
Joe Donnelly received the Democratic nomination unanimously in an uncontested primary on May 8, 2012.
| Democratic primary results[48] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Joe Donnelly | 207,715 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 207,715 | 100 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Joe Donnelly (D), U.S. Representative
- Andrew Horning (L), product manager and nominee for Governor in 2008[49]
- Richard Mourdock (R), Indiana State Treasurer
Debates
Confirmed debates with Donnelly, Horning and Mourdock are:[50]
Date: Monday, October 15
Broadcast Time: 7 p.m. EDT
City: Indianapolis
Venue: WFYI-TV (in studio/no live audience)
- Complete video of debate at C-SPAN, October 15, 2012
Date: Tuesday, October 23
Broadcast Time: 7 p.m. EDT
City: New Albany
Venue: Paul W. Ogle Cultural & Community Center, Indiana University Southeast (live audience – seating up to 500)
- Complete video of debate at C-SPAN, October 23, 2012
Fundraising
| Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Donnelly (D) | $5,572,319 | $5,496,760 | $95,578 | $0 |
| Richard Mourdock (R) | $8,982,053 | $8,698,721 | $283,332 | $0 |
| Andy Horning (L) | $4,907 | $2,905 | $2,005 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[51] | ||||
Top contributors
| Joe Donnelly | Contribution | Richard Mourdock | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faegre Baker Daniels | $30,942 | Club for Growth | $290,815 | |
| MacAndrews & Forbes | $29,500 | Senate Conservatives Fund | $58,728 | |
| Renco Group | $27,400 | Koch Industries | $30,000 | |
| Barnes & Thornburg | $22,601 | Murray Energy | $15,000 | |
| University of Notre Dame | $20,150 | Lucas Oil Products | $11,400 | |
| MWH Global WPP plc | $17,000 | ESOP Association | $10,750 | |
| Eli Lilly and Company | $16,912 | Blue Cross Blue Shield Association | $10,250 | |
| Power, Rogers & Smith | $16,000 | American Bankers Association | $10,000 | |
| Mid Manhattan PAC | $13,750 | ExxonMobil | $10,000 | |
| Patton Boggs LLP | $13,083 | Citizens United | $10,000 | |
| Source: Center for Responsive Politics[52] | ||||
Top industries
| Joe Donnelly | Contribution | Richard Mourdock | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $463,098 | Republican/Conservative PAC's | $474,661 | |
| Leadership PACs | $298,000 | Leadership PACs | $305,607 | |
| Retired | $192,716 | Retired | $244,206 | |
| Lobbyists | $109,987 | Oil & Gas | $132,530 | |
| Building Trade Unions | $77,000 | Financial Institutions | $90,200 | |
| Financial Institutions | $100,235 | Commercial Banks | $88,430 | |
| Education | $91,563 | Health Professionals | $86,567 | |
| Building Trade Unions | $63,500 | Misc Finance | $64,815 | |
| Public Sector Unions | $87,000 | Manufacturing industry | $60,200 | |
| Political Action Committees | $63,798 | Real Estate | $58,290 | |
| Source: Center for Responsive Politics[53] | ||||
Campaign
Pregnancy from rape controversy
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Mourdock became embroiled in a controversy after stating that pregnancy from rape is "something that God intended". His remarks were made during a debate on October 23, 2012, while explaining his opposition to abortion even in the case of rape. At the debate Mourdock, when asked what his position on abortion was, responded:
"I know there are some who disagree and I respect their point of view but I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that case of the life of the mother. I just struggled with it myself for a long time but I came to realize: "Life is that gift from God that I think even if life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen"."[54]
Media speculated that this could affect the outcome of the Senate race and Presidential race[55] and multiple sources noted the similarities with the Todd Akin rape and pregnancy comment controversy.[56][57]
Responding to the criticism, Mourdock issued a statement saying: "God creates life, and that was my point. God does not want rape, and by no means was I suggesting that he does. Rape is a horrible thing, and for anyone to twist my words otherwise is absurd and sick."[58] He was later quoted at a press conference also saying: "I believe God controls the universe. I don't believe biology works in an uncontrolled fashion."[59] He however refused to issue an apology, even while prominent Republicans, including Sen. John McCain called for him to do so.[60]
Response
A day before the controversy started, a television ad began airing that showed Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for United States President, supporting Mourdock.[61] The Romney campaign subsequently issued a statement saying "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his views," but did not pull the ad. Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said "Richard and I, along with millions of Americans—including even Joe Donnelly—believe that life is a gift from God. To try and construe his words as anything other than a restatement of that belief is irresponsible and ridiculous".[62][63]
Many public Republicans called for Mourdock to apologize for the statement. Sen. John McCain called for him to issue an apology and his support "depends on what he does."[60] Senator Scott Brown refused to state that he supported Mourdock in the election.[64] Rep. Mike Pence, a Republican ran governor of Indiana concurrent to Mourdock's senatorial campaign, urged Mourdock to apologize. "I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night’s Senate debate," he said in a statement. "I urge him to apologize."[65]
President Obama stated that "Rape is rape. It is a crime," on the Tonight Show. He continued that, "These various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me."[66] Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, immediately criticized Mourdock, saying: "I'm stunned and ashamed that Richard Mourdock believes God intended rape", and claiming that he is an "extremist" who is out of touch with Indiana.[54]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Richard Mourdock (R) |
Joe Donnelly (D) |
Andy Horning (L) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen Reports | November 1, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 42% | 45% | 6% | — | 6% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University | October 28–30, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 47% | 6% | — | 11% |
| Pharos Research | October 19–21, 2012 | 754 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 46% | — | — | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 10–11, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 47% | 42% | — | 2% | 8% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University | September 19–23, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 40% | 7% | — | 8% |
| Market Research Insight | August 6–9, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 39% | 3% | — | 17% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 31–August 1, 2012 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 42% | 40% | — | 3% | 15% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 23–24, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 42% | — | 2% | 14% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University | March 26–28, 2012 | 503 | ± 4.4% | 35% | 35% | 7% | — | 23% |
Results
On election night Donnelly won by about six percent. Donnelly performed well in Marion County, home of Indianapolis. Donnelly also won areas with major college campuses, such as Indiana University in Bloomington, Purdue University in Lafayette. Mourdock performed well, as expected in the Indianapolis suburbs, such as Hamilton County. Mourdock conceded defeat to Donnelly at around 11:30 P.M. EST.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Donnelly | 1,281,181 | 50.04% | +50.04% | |
| Republican | Richard Mourdock | 1,133,621 | 44.28% | -43.08% | |
| Libertarian | Andy Horning | 145,282 | 5.67% | -6.92% | |
| No party | Write-Ins | 18 | 0 % | n/a | |
| Majority | 147,560 | 5.76% | -69.49% | ||
| Turnout | 2,560,102 | 57.46% | +26.24% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||
See also
- United States Senate elections, 2012
- United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2012
- Indiana gubernatorial election, 2012
- Politics of the United States
- Federal government of the United States
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 Endorsements | Dick Lugar for U.S. Senate
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 [1][dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 [2][dead link]
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 [3][dead link]
- ↑ [4][dead link]
- ↑ [5][dead link]
- ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 29.13 29.14 29.15 29.16 29.17 29.18 29.19 29.20 29.21 29.22 29.23 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ [6] Archived May 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ [7] Archived April 8, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ [8][dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Richard Mourdock's response to abortion question provokes controversy in Indiana Senate debate In Indianapolis Star October 24, 2012
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Indiana Secretary of State
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Outside spending at Sunlight Foundation
- Candidate issue positions at On the Issues
- Official campaign websites
