Elections 2010: Indiana Primary Results

Here We Go Again

Two years ago to the day, and once again Indiana was heading back to the election booths, this time not to elect a President, but to elect a plethora of National and State level politicians. The race might not have been as important as high profile as the last one, but that doesn't mean it wasn't as divisive. The entire list of candidates and elections is simply too big to be covered in this one blog post so I will narrow my review down to three races that touch closest to home: the US Senate race to fill the seat left empty by the retiring Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), the US House of Representatives Seat for District 1, as well as the State Senate Seat in District 6. For more election results, or to find out who is running in your district, click here.

Election Results

When now Senator and former Indiana Governor Evan Bayh (D-IN) announced his retirement earlier this year, the Democratic not only lost a key moderate member, but it also left them without a big name candidate. The vacancy on the Democratic ticket was soon filled by Rep. Dan Ellsworth and the ensuing Republican Primary battle was bitter to the finish. The three leading candidates going into Tuesday's elections were: former Senator and Ambassador Dan Coates, state Senator Marlin A. Stutzman, and former Rep. John Hostettler. These three also finished as the top three in the vicious primary with Coates, the Washington insider, winning by 50,000 votes. Stutzman, who had virtually no name recognition came in second, with Stutzman bringing up the rear. Ellsworth and Coates will face off in November to see who becomes the next Senator from Indiana.

The District 1 primary elections saw incumbent Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN) running unopposed with a large field of possible Republican candidates. The victorious Republican is union carpenter mark Leyva (R-IN) who has run against Visclosky in 2002, 2004, 2006, and now again in 2010. Before now Leyva has never really had a chance against Visclosky, the powerful Democratic Chair of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, yet could the anti-incumbency movement finally allow Leyva to taste victory?

The last race is the one closest to home for me personally. Sure, I've met Leyva and my mother has worked with Rep. Visclosky in the past, but the District 6 State Senate race means so much more to me. This summer I will be campaigning for the incumbent, Senator Sue Landske (R-IN) who went uncontested in Tuesday's primary. She will be facing her first opponent in three election cycles in the form of Democratic challenger Jim Metro. Landske has been my districts State Rep for nearly a quarter of a decade and now serves as the assistant President Pro-Tempore in the Indiana Senate. Either way, this summer should be interesting, as an election battle is sure to ensue.

If you live in Indiana, I encourage each and every one of you to get involved, but above all, VOTE! It's your civic duty and your only way to express your views in our political system. Even if you didn't vote in this primary, make sure you vote in the November elections and let your voice be heard.

Later,
Cody

(Photo: Courtesy of the Indianapolis Star)