Richard Mourdock and Richard Lugar shake hands at their only televised debate April 11.
file photo
(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The Republican presidential primary in Indiana may not mean much with Mitt Romney cruising toward the nomination, but Tuesday's U.S. Senate race is getting national attention.
State Treasurer Richard Mourdock and U.S. Senator Richard Lugar are battling in the GOP primary.
The 80-year-old Lugar has been in office since 1977 as the longest serving Republican in the Senate. He is seeking his seventh, six-year term against tough competition.
A Howey/DePaul Indiana Battleground Poll released on Friday gives challenger Richard Mourdock a ten point lead over the longtime incumbent. The same poll gave Lugar a five point lead a month ago.
“We’d certainly rather be up ten than down ten, but there’s only one poll that counts,” Mourdock said, referring to the election.
Through last week, Lugar was still out attempting to drum up support on the campaign trail which included a stop at Batesville Tool & Die on Wedensday.
“I want everybody in the state to vote for me on Tuesday. Everybody. I’m not asking anybody to cross over. I’m just saying positively register your vote,” said Lugar.
Mourdock said he was disappointed by the incumbent's comments, saying he's acting like someone who feels entitled to hold the office.
The candidate who wins the Republican nomination will run against Democrat Congressman Joe Donnelly in the November general election.
LINKS:
Latest Poll Shows Lugar Up By Two-Percent
Mourdock Leads Lugar In Latest Senate Poll
Lugar, Mourdock Hold Only Debate
