Mourdock, Donnelly, Local Tea Party Leader Discuss U.S. Senate Race
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Republican State Treasurer Richard Mourdock said he looks forward to serving as the state’s next U.S. Senator if he wins in the November election.
Mourdock defeated incumbent Dick Lugar in Tuesday’s primary for the U.S. Senate race. Lugar has served since 1977, and is the longest serving senator in Indiana history.
Mourdock received 61 percent of the votes, and Lugar received 39 percent. Mourdock faces Democrat Joe Donnelly in the fall election.
In Kosciusko County, Mourdock received 74 percent of the vote or 8,086 votes. Lugar received 26 percent, or 2,858 votes.
During a telephone interview early this morning, Mourdock said Tuesday’s race was an emotional one.
“I think Indiana under Mitch Daniels is positioned to have an economic recovery and we need to make sure what he has done in Indiana spreads nationally,” Mourdock said.
He said reducing taxes, freezing property tax hikes and reducing the corporate income tax is a model that Washington, D.C., needs
Mourdock commented on Lugar’s service.
“Lugar is a great American and historial figure, but I think he has come to realize he sensed the winds of change blowing,” Mourdock said. “For all the great things Lugar has done he’s had an incredible career, but Hoosiers wanted to make that change.”
Mourdock, who was referred to as a tea party candidate, said tea party volunteers who came out to assist with primary day made all the difference in his win.
“With more than 1,300 critical precincts, there were more than 3,000 volunteers Tuesday who supported my campaign,” Mourdock said.
Mourdock thanked the voters for their support.
Donnelly provided a statement to the Times-Union.
“I thank Senator Lugar for his many years of service to our great state and to our nation,” Donnelly said.
“He and I share a history of working across the aisle. I agree with the Senator that we accomplish more when we work together.”
Donnelly said he and Lugar stood together to rescue the American auto industry, and the state has benefitted greatly from Lugar’s efforts in so many areas.
Donnelly said he stands ready to challenge Mourdock in the general election because of what’s at stake for Hoosier families.
“Mourdock once said he didn’t take a pledge that [he] would support every job in Indiana,” Donnelly said. “I wholeheartedly disagree. I am running to be a U.S. Senator for working families, which means I will fight for every single Hoosier job.”
Monica Boyer, Kosciusko County Silent No More co-founder, attended a victory rally Tuesday night in Indianapolis with Mourdock and his supporters.
Kosciusko Silent No More is a local tea party group who supported Mourdock in his run for senate.
Approximately 30 members of the Silent No More group gathered at Martin’s Supermarket to watch the primary results come in.
“This was a historic win for Mourdock tonight, it was more than just a win for Mourdock, but a win for conservatives,” Boyer said. “We sent a message to the nation that we the people are tired of being told how to vote, who to vote for and it was time we stood up as Hoosiers and said enough is enough.”
Boyer said the tea party had enough of Lugar’s liberal voting record.
She spoke about her experience in being in Indianapolis on primary night.
“You could cut the electricity with a knife as the numbers came in and there were so many tears of happiness and the energy was intense,” Boyer said.
Boyer said to see Kosciusko County’s support for Mourdock showed how conservative the community is.
“It is exciting to be a part of a piece of history that changed the face of politics as we know it,” Boyer said.
