First-term Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is regarded as one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing reelection in 2018, and Republicans are lining up for the chance to run against him. Rep. Luke Messer, in his third term representing Vice President Mike Pence’s former district, announced today on Twitter, “We’re in!”
“Already the GOP primary is shaping up to be a brutal affair that could lead to months of Republicans fighting each other more than the incumbent Donnelly,” said the Indianapolis Star. “Messer and fellow GOP Rep. Todd Rokita—who is also preparing a bid—for weeks have traded insults and accusations, with both suggesting that the other is ‘unhinged.’ ”
Three lesser-known Republicans are in the race for the GOP nomination: Terry Henderson, attorney Mark Hurt, and Purdue Polytechnic director Andrew Takami, says Ballotpedia.
Donnelly, who was a key vote in committee on GMO food-labeling legislation, won 50 percent of the Indiana vote in a five-way Senate race in 2012, running nearly 148,000 votes ahead of Republican Richard Mourdock. Political tip sheets currently rate the 2018 race as a toss-up or leaning Democrat.