Election & Politics

Senate candidates Joe Donnelly and Richard Mourdock spent most of their first debate Monday attacking each other, while Libertarian Andrew Horning called for voters to move away from the status quo. 

Republican Senate hopeful Richard Mourdock says he doesn’t think the upcoming debates between him and his two opponents will get nearly as many viewers as his debate with Senator Richard Lugar in the May primary.  But with the race among the closest in the state, it’s possible there could be more interest than he realizes.  

Several polls in recent weeks all show Mourdock and Democratic opponent Joe Donnelly within just a few percentage points of each other in the race.  Mourdock says he hopes the debates will garner enough attention to have an impact on the campaign.

The first four days of early voting in Tippecanoe County brought 638 people into the Board of Elections office to cast a ballot.

The first week of early voting four years ago, during the last presidential election, produced 547 ballots. Tippecanoe County Circuit Clerk Christa Coffey says that’s a 14.3% increase this year.

“Many absentee ballots were sent and received” by the office, she says. “I’ll have official numbers by Monday morning.”

Gubernatorial candidates Mike Pence and John Gregg briefly launched attacks on each other’s records during Wednesday’s gubernatorial debate.  However, none of the candidates used the forum to say things they haven’t already said.

The debate featured questions from Hoosier voters on topics ranging from education, college affordability, the Affordable Care Act and the role of unions.  Republican Mike Pence, Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rupert Boneham all repeated ideas and positions they’ve been talking about throughout the campaign.

More Tippecanoe County voters cast a ballot on the first day of early voting this year, compared to four years ago.

The Election’s Office reports, as of three this afternoon, 184 people voted.

One-hundred-forty turned out for the first day in 2008.

Those wanting to cast a ballot before the November 6th election can do so at the Tippecanoe County Elections Office or at their local circuit clerk’s office during business hours.

Tuesday also was the final day to register to vote in the election.