2012 United States Senate election in Indiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 and House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Richard Lugar ran for reelection to a seventh term, but was defeated in the primary by Tea Party-backed Richard Mourdock.

Quick facts Turnout, Nominee ...
2012 United States Senate election in Indiana

 2006
November 6, 2012
2018 
Turnout58.5%[1]
 
Nominee Joe Donnelly Richard Mourdock Andy Horning
Party Democratic Republican Libertarian
Popular vote 1,281,181 1,133,621 145,282
Percentage 50.04% 44.28% 5.68%

Donnelly:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90%+
Mourdock:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90%+
Tie:      40–50%      50%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Lugar
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Joe Donnelly
Democratic

Close

U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana's 2nd congressional district, was unopposed in his party's primary, and then defeated both Mourdock and Libertarian Andrew Horning in the general election. As of 2026, this is the last time Democrats won any statewide election in Indiana, and the most recent Senate election in which an elected incumbent was defeated in the primary.[a][2] It was also the last time until 2024 where the opposite party picked up a seat in a cycle after losing the previous one a cycle earlier.

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.[3] 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.[4] 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 that Mourdock won out in the primary against Lugar, a well-liked centrist member of the GOP. Another boost came when Mourdock's remarks regarding rape helped propel Donnelly to victory.[5]

Republican primary

The Republican primary was held on May 8, 2012.

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Campaign

Due to Lugar's unpopularity among some Tea Party voters because of his positions regarding illegal immigration, voting to confirm then-U.S. Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, the DREAM Act, the New START Treaty, some gun control bills, and congressional earmarks, he was challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate.[11][12]

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.[13] 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%.[14]

Mourdock defeated Senator Lugar in the Republican primary on May 8, 2012.[15][16]

According to Indiana law, Lugar's defeat meant that he would not be permitted to run in the election either as a third party or an independent candidate after he lost the primary.[17]

Endorsements

Richard Lugar

Individuals

Organizations

Richard Mourdock

Individuals

Organizations

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Richard
Mourdock
Richard
Lugar
Undecided
Basswood Research (R)[47] July 23–24, 2011 500 ±4.4% 34% 32% 34%
American Viewpoint (R)[48] July 27–28, 2011 600 ±4.0% 31% 45% 23%
Howey Politics/DePauw University[49] March 26–28, 2012 503 ±4.5% 35% 42% 28%
Howey Politics/DePauw University[50] April 30 – May 1, 2012 700 ±3.7% 48% 38% 14%
Close

Results

Results by county:
  Murdock—70–80%
  Murdock—60–70%
  Murdock—50–60%
  Lugar—50–60%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Mourdock 400,321 60.5%
Republican Richard Lugar (incumbent) 261,285 39.5%
Total votes 661,606 100.0%
Close

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Results

Donnelly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

More information Party, Candidate ...
Democratic primary results[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Donnelly 207,715 100.00%
Total votes 207,715 100.00%
Close

General election

Candidates

Debates

Confirmed debates with Donnelly, Horning and Mourdock are:[56]

Date: Monday, October 15
Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT
City: Indianapolis
Venue: WFYI-TV (in studio/no live audience)

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)

Fundraising

More information Candidate (party), Receipts ...
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[57]
Close

Top contributors

More information Joe Donnelly, Contribution ...
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 $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: OpenSecrets[58]
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Top industries

More information Joe Donnelly, Contribution ...
Joe Donnelly Contribution Richard Mourdock Contribution
Lawyers/law firms $463,098 Republican/Conservative PACs $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: OpenSecrets[59]
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Campaign

Pregnancy from rape controversy

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".[60]

Media speculated that this could affect the outcome of the Senate race and Presidential race[61] and multiple sources noted the similarities with the rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections.[62][63]

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."[64] 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."[65] He however refused to issue an apology, even while prominent Republicans, including Sen. John McCain, called for him to do so.[66]

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.[67] 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".[68][69]

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."[66] Senator Scott Brown refused to state that he supported Mourdock in the election.[70] Rep. Mike Pence, a Republican running for 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."[71]

President Obama stated, "Rape is rape. It is a crime," on the Tonight Show. He continued, "These various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me."[72] 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 claimed that he is an "extremist" who is out of touch with Indiana.[60]

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[73] Tossup November 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[74] Lean D (flip) November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report[75] Tilt D (flip) November 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics[76] Tossup November 5, 2012
Close

Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Richard
Mourdock (R)
Joe
Donnelly (D)
Andrew
Horning (L)
Other Undecided
Howey Politics/DePauw University[77] March 26–28, 2012 503 ± 4.4% 35% 35% 7% 23%
Rasmussen Reports[78] May 23–24, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 42% 42% 2% 14%
Rasmussen Reports[79] July 31 – August 1, 2012 400 ± 5.0% 42% 40% 3% 15%
Market Research Insight[80] August 6–9, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 41% 39% 3% 17%
Howey Politics/DePauw University[81] September 19–23, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 38% 40% 7% 8%
Rasmussen Reports[82] October 10–11, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 47% 42% 2% 8%
Pharos Research[83] October 19–21, 2012 754 ± 3.6% 46% 46% 8%
Howey Politics/DePauw University[84] October 28–30, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 36% 47% 6% 11%
Rasmussen Reports[82] November 1, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 42% 45% 6% 6%
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Hypothetical polling

with Richard Lugar

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Richard
Lugar (R)
Joe
Donnelly (D)
Other Undecided
Howey Politics/DePauw University[77] March 26–28, 2012 503 ± 4.4% 50% 29% 21%
Close

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 and 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.

County Flips:
More information Party, Candidate ...
United States Senate election in Indiana, 2012[85]
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 5.68% −6.91%
Write-in 18 0.00% -0.06%
Total votes 2,560,102 100.00% N/A
Democratic gain from Republican
Close
State Senate district results

Results by county

More information County, Joe Donnelly Democratic ...
County[86] Joe Donnelly
Democratic
Richard Mourdock
Republican
Andrew Horning
Libertarian
Write-ins Margin Total
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
Adams 4,613 36.0% 7,426 57.9% 784 6.1% 0 0.0% -2,813 -21.9% 12,823
Allen 65,053 45.3% 71,734 49.9% 6,936 4.8% 3 0.0% -6,681 -4.6% 143,726
Bartholomew 12,214 42.5% 14,430 50.2% 2,075 7.2% 0 0.0% -2,216 -7.7% 28,719
Benton 1,416 40.3% 1,798 51.1% 303 8.6% 0 0.0% -382 -10.8% 3,517
Blackford 2,228 47.7% 2,059 44.1% 379 8.1% 0 0.0% 169 3.6% 4,666
Boone 10,251 37.5% 15,007 54.9% 2,066 7.6% 0 0.0% -4,756 -17.4% 27,324
Brown 3,476 45.9% 3,544 46.8% 549 7.3% 0 0.0% -68 -0.9% 7,569
Carroll 3,194 41.2% 3,916 50.5% 637 8.2% 0 0.0% -722 -9.3% 7,747
Cass 6,323 44.9% 6,622 47.0% 1,135 8.1% 0 0.0% -299 -2.1% 14,080
Clark 22,776 49.3% 21,120 45.8% 2,262 4.9% 0 0.0% 1,656 3.5% 46,158
Clay 4,359 42.4% 5,192 50.5% 733 7.1% 1 0.0% -833 -8.1% 10,285
Clinton 3,931 40.5% 4,938 50.9% 832 8.6% 0 0.0% -1,007 -10.4% 9,701
Crawford 2,256 50.5% 2,000 44.8% 212 4.7% 0 0.0% 256 -5.7% 4,468
Daviess 3,295 33.5% 6,088 61.8% 463 4.7% 0 0.0% -2,793 -28.3% 9,846
Dearborn 7,313 33.7% 13,422 61.9% 956 4.4% 0 0.0% -6,109 -28.2% 21,691
Decatur 3,478 36.2% 5,302 55.1% 840 8.7% 0 0.0% -1,824 -17.9% 9,620
DeKalb 6,059 38.1% 8,793 55.4% 1,033 6.5% 0 0.0% -2,734 -17.3% 15,885
Delaware 24,525 56.5% 15,797 36.4% 3,052 7.0% 0 0.0% 8,728 20.1% 43,374
Dubois 8,054 44.6% 9,143 50.6% 861 4.8% 0 0.0% -1,089 -6.0% 18,058
Elkhart 28,230 42.0% 35,858 53.4% 3,100 4.6% 0 0.0% -7,628 -11.4% 67,188
Fayette 3,856 47.9% 3,498 43.4% 694 8.6% 5 0.1% 358 4.5% 8,053
Floyd 16,602 47.8% 16,568 47.7% 1,553 4.5% 1 0.0% 34 0.1% 34,724
Fountain 2,738 39.4% 3,541 50.9% 672 9.7% 0 0.0% -803 -11.5% 6,951
Franklin 3,512 34.4% 6,192 60.6% 509 5.0% 0 0.0% -2,680 -26.2% 10,213
Fulton 3,555 43.8% 4,123 50.9% 430 5.3% 0 0.0% -568 -7.1% 8,108
Gibson 6,339 43.3% 7,562 51.7% 728 5.0% 0 0.0% -2,680 -8.4% 10,213
Grant 10,789 43.4% 12,549 50.4% 1,545 6.2% 0 0.0% -1,760 -7.0% 24,883
Greene 5,480 42.7% 6,494 50.7% 845 6.6% 0 0.0% -1,014 -8.0% 12,819
Hamilton 52,925 39.5% 72,587 54.1% 8,580 6.4% 0 0.0% -19,662 -14.6% 134,092
Hancock 11,677 36.1% 17,635 54.5% 3,061 9.5% 0 0.0% -5,958 -18.4% 32,373
Harrison 7,768 44.3% 9,005 51.4% 759 4.3% 0 0.0% -1,237 -7.1% 17,532
Hendricks 25,208 38.7% 35,541 54.6% 4,379 6.7% 0 0.0% -10,333 -15.9% 65,128
Henry 8,914 47.6% 8,000 42.7% 1,816 9.7% 0 0.0% 914 4.9% 18,730
Howard 17,660 51.8% 15,739 46.2% 684 2.0% 0 0.0% 1,921 5.6% 34,083
Huntington 5,166 34.0% 9,077 59.7% 963 6.3% 0 0.0% -3,911 -25.7% 15,206
Jackson 7,045 42.8% 8,292 50.4% 1,108 6.7% 0 0.0% -1,247 -7.6% 16,445
Jasper 5,335 42.7% 6,673 53.4% 480 3.8% 0 0.0% -1,338 -10.7% 12,488
Jay 3,295 44.7% 3,533 48.0% 540 7.3% 0 0.0% -238 -3.3% 7,368
Jefferson 6,104 49.5% 5,624 45.6% 610 4.9% 0 0.0% 480 3.9% 12,338
Jennings 4,441 44.1% 4,937 49.0% 697 6.9% 0 0.0% -496 -4.9% 10,075
Johnson 21,256 37.2% 31,259 55.2% 4,282 7.5% 0 0.0% -10,273 -18.0% 57,067
Knox 6,873 46.9% 6,959 47.5% 829 5.7% 0 0.0% -86 -0.6% 14,661
Kosciusko 8,239 27.7% 19,908 66.9% 1,598 5.4% 0 0.0% -11,669 -39.2% 29,745
LaGrange 3,300 35.8% 5,293 57.4% 626 6.8% 0 0.0% -1,993 -17.6% 9,219
Lake 126,736 69.3% 52,072 28.5% 4,108 2.2% 0 0.0% 74,664 40.8% 182,916
LaPorte 26,764 62.8% 14,033 32.9% 1,830 4.3% 0 0.0% 12,731 29.9% 42,627
Lawrence 7,008 40.0% 9,365 53.4% 1,152 6.6% 0 0.0% -2,357 -13.4% 17,525
Madison 27,183 52.5% 20,422 39.4% 4,162 8.0% 0 0.0% -2,357 -13.1% 17,525
Marion 227,858 64.1% 106,919 30.1% 20,802 5.9% 0 0.0% 120,939 34.0% 355,579
Marshall 7,867 44.6% 8,930 50.6% 836 4.7% 0 0.0% -1,063 -6.0% 17,633
Martin 1,796 38.5% 2,606 55.9% 260 5.6% 0 0.0% -810 -17.4% 4,662
Miami 4,925 39.4% 6,363 50.9% 1,209 9.7% 0 0.0% -1,438 -11.5% 12,497
Monroe 35,421 62.8% 17,633 31.3% 3,330 5.9% 0 0.0% 17,788 31.5% 56,384
Montgomery 5,291 37.0% 7,622 53.2% 1,401 9.8% 0 0.0% -2,331 -16.2% 14,314
Morgan 9,777 35.0% 15,867 56.9% 2,254 8.1% 0 0.0% -6,090 -21.9% 27,898
Newton 2,588 46.5% 2,719 48.8% 264 4.7% 0 0.0% -131 -2.3% 5,571
Noble 5,939 37.4% 8,946 56.3% 1,005 6.3% 1 0.0% -3,007 -18.9% 15,891
Ohio 1,116 40.4% 1,536 55.6% 108 3.9% 1 0.0% -420 -15.2% 2,761
Orange 3,242 42.7% 3,959 52.2% 385 5.1% 1 0.0% -717 -9.5% 7,587
Owen 3,270 41.0% 4,033 50.5% 678 8.5% 0 0.0% -763 -9.5% 7,981
Parke 2,672 41.8% 3,168 49.5% 555 8.7% 0 0.0% -496 -7.7% 6,395
Perry 4,722 61.1% 2,660 34.4% 342 4.4% 0 0.0% 2,062 26.7% 7,724
Pike 2,676 46.1% 2,781 47.9% 346 6.0% 0 0.0% -105 -1.8% 5,803
Porter 42,062 58.4% 27,481 38.1% 2,522 3.5% 0 0.0% 14,581 20.3% 72,065
Posey 5,605 46.3% 5,897 48.7% 613 5.1% 0 0.0% -292 -2.4% 12,115
Pulaski 2,284 43.6% 2,640 50.4% 313 6.0% 0 0.0% -356 -6.8% 5,237
Putnam 5,196 39.8% 6,839 52.4% 1,008 7.7% 0 0.0% -1,643 -12.6% 13,043
Randolph 4,073 43.1% 4,650 49.2% 722 7.6% 0 0.0% -577 -6.1% 9,445
Ripley 3,818 35.5% 6,394 59.5% 530 4.9% 0 0.0% -2,576 -24.0% 10,742
Rush 2,729 39.8% 3,392 49.5% 736 10.7% 0 0.0% -663 -9.7% 6,857
Scott 4,552 53.2% 3,589 41.9% 422 4.9% 0 0.0% 963 11.3% 8,563
Shelby 6,282 39.7% 8,083 51.1% 1,458 9.2% 0 0.0% -1,801 -11.4% 15,823
Spencer 4,650 48.7% 4,451 46.6% 444 4.7% 1 0.0% 199 2.1% 9,546
St. Joseph 65,689 59.7% 40,418 36.7% 4,006 3.6% 2 0.0% 25,271 23.0% 110,115
Starke 4,484 52.5% 3,607 42.2% 447 5.2% 1 0.0% 877 10.3% 8,539
Steuben 5,443 40.4% 7,056 52.4% 977 7.2% 0 0.0% -1.613 -12.0% 13,476
Sullivan 4,134 51.0% 3,491 43.1% 481 5.9% 0 0.0% 643 7.9% 8,106
Switzerland 1,536 46.6% 1,581 48.0% 176 5.3% 0 0.0% -45 -1.4% 3,293
Tippecanoe 29,181 52.0% 23,130 41.2% 3,848 6.9% 0 0.0% 6,051 10.8% 56,159
Tipton 3,001 41.7% 3,533 49.1% 664 9.2% 0 0.0% -532 -7.4% 7,198
Union 1,098 36.4% 1,732 57.4% 185 6.1% 0 0.0% -634 -21.0% 3,015
Vanderburgh 35,430 49.5% 32,947 46.1% 3,165 4.4% 0 0.0% 2,483 3.4% 71,542
Vermillion 3,543 54.5% 2,490 38.3% 468 7.2% 0 0.0% 1,053 16.2% 6,501
Vigo 22,342 57.2% 14,233 36.4% 2,501 6.4% 1 0.0% 8,109 20.8% 39,077
Wabash 4,454 35.6% 7,287 58.2% 775 6.2% 0 0.0% -2,833 -22.6% 12,516
Warren 1,615 43.0% 1,887 50.3% 252 6.7% 0 0.0% -272 -7.3% 3,754
Warrick 12,117 43.3% 14,581 52.1% 1,290 4.6% 0 0.0% -2,464 -8.8% 27,988
Washington 4,571 42.9% 5,512 51.8% 563 5.3% 0 0.0% -941 -8.9% 10,646
Wayne 11,752 46.5% 11,529 45.6% 1,999 7.9% 0 0.0% 223 0.9% 25,280
Wells 3,668 31.1% 7,456 63.3% 663 5.6% 0 0.0% -3,788 -32.2% 11,787
White 4,291 43.9% 4,526 46.3% 968 9.9% 0 0.0% -235 -2.4% 9,785
Whitley 5,157 35.1% 8,584 58.4% 955 6.5% 0 0.0% -3,427 -23.3% 14,696
TOTAL 1,282,729 50.0% 1,135,678 44.3% 145,356 5.7% 18 0.0% 147,051 5.7% 2,563,781
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Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

Donnelly won five of nine congressional districts, including three held by Republicans.[87]

More information District, Donnelly ...
District Donnelly Mourdock Representative
1st 66.31% 30.99% Pete Visclosky
2nd 49.94% 45.42% Joe Donnelly (112th Congress)
Jackie Walorski (113th Congress)
3rd 40.47% 53.96% Marlin Stutzman
4th 43.56% 49.03% Todd Rokita
5th 47.36% 46.18% Dan Burton (112th Congress)
Susan Brooks (113th Congress)
6th 43.68% 48.93% Mike Pence (112th Congress)
Luke Messer (113th Congress)
7th 66.03% 28.00% André Carson
8th 47.74% 46.84% Larry Bucshon
9th 46.81% 47.20% Todd Young
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See also

Notes

  1. U.S. Senator Luther Strange lost a primary election to Roy Moore in 2017 after being appointed by the governor to fill an empty seat.

References

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