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| Turnout | 58.5%[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 County results Congressional district resultsMourdock: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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The2012 United States Senate election in Indiana took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with theU.S. presidential election as well as other elections to theUnited States Senate andHouse of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. SenatorRichard Lugar ran for reelection to a seventh term, but was defeated in the primary byTea Party-backedRichard Mourdock.
U.S. RepresentativeJoe Donnelly, a Democrat fromIndiana's 2nd congressional district, was unopposed in his party's primary, and then defeated both Mourdock and Libertarian Andrew Horning in the general election. As of 2025, this is the last time Democrats won any statewide election in Indiana, and the most recent Senate election in which an elected incumbent was defeated in the primary.[a][2] It was also the last time until2024 where the opposite party picked up a seat in a cycle after losing theprevious one a cycle earlier.
On November 7, 2006, incumbentRichard Lugar was unopposed by any major party candidate as no Democrat filed for the May 2006 primary. He was re-elected to his sixth six-year term with 87.3% of the vote.[3] After the 2012 election, Lugar would have had an even chance, according to Senate Republican Conference rules, to be elected as itspresident pro tempore.[4] However, the issue was rendered moot with Lugar's primary loss on May 9, 2012, as Indiana state law prohibits candidates from running for an election after losing a primary.Time featured the race in their "Fury of the Senate" article. The article mentioned how Donnelly was lucky that Mourdock won out in the primary against Lugar, a well-liked centrist member of the GOP. Another boost came when Mourdock's remarks regarding rape helped propel Donnelly to victory.[5]
The Republican primary was held on May 8, 2012.
Due to Lugar's unpopularity among someTea Party voters because of his positions regarding illegal immigration, voting to confirm then-U.S. Supreme Court nomineesSonia Sotomayor andElena Kagan, theDREAM Act, theNew START Treaty, somegun control bills, andcongressional earmarks, he was challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate.[11][12]
The Indiana Debate Commission's GOP primary debate with Sen. Richard Lugar and State Treasurer Richard Mourdock was set to air at 7 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 11.[13] In a widely published poll taken March 26 to 28, Lugar was still in the lead, but by the time of a second published poll from April 30 to May 1, Mourdock was leading 48% to 38%.[14]
Mourdock defeated Senator Lugar in the Republican primary on May 8, 2012.[15][16]
According to Indiana law, Lugar's defeat meant that he would not be permitted to run in the election either as a third party or an independent candidate after he lost the primary.[17]
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Mourdock | Richard Lugar | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood Research (R)[47] | July 23–24, 2011 | 500 | ±4.4% | 34% | 32% | 34% |
| American Viewpoint (R)[48] | July 27–28, 2011 | 600 | ±4.0% | 31% | 45% | 23% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[49] | March 26–28, 2012 | 503 | ±4.5% | 35% | 42% | 28% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[50] | April 30 – May 1, 2012 | 700 | ±3.7% | 48% | 38% | 14% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Richard Mourdock | 400,321 | 60.5% | |
| Republican | Richard Lugar (incumbent) | 261,285 | 39.5% | |
| Total votes | 661,606 | 100.0% | ||
Donnelly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Donnelly | 207,715 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 207,715 | 100.00% | ||
Confirmed debates with Donnelly, Horning and Mourdock are:[56]
Date: Monday, October 15
Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT
City: Indianapolis
Venue: WFYI-TV (in studio/no live audience)
Date: Tuesday, October 23
Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT
City: New Albany
Venue: Paul W. Ogle Cultural & Community Center, Indiana University Southeast (live audience – seating up to 500)
| Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Donnelly (D) | $5,572,319 | $5,496,760 | $95,578 | $0 |
| Richard Mourdock (R) | $8,982,053 | $8,698,721 | $283,332 | $0 |
| Andy Horning (L) | $4,907 | $2,905 | $2,005 | $0 |
| Source:Federal Election Commission[57] | ||||
| Joe Donnelly | Contribution | Richard Mourdock | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faegre Baker Daniels | $30,942 | Club for Growth | $290,815 | |
| MacAndrews & Forbes | $29,500 | Senate Conservatives Fund | $58,728 | |
| Renco Group | $27,400 | Koch Industries | $30,000 | |
| Barnes & Thornburg | $22,601 | Murray Energy | $15,000 | |
| University of Notre Dame | $20,150 | Lucas Oil | $11,400 | |
| MWH GlobalWPP plc | $17,000 | ESOP Association | $10,750 | |
| Eli Lilly and Company | $16,912 | Blue Cross Blue Shield Association | $10,250 | |
| Power, Rogers & Smith | $16,000 | American Bankers Association | $10,000 | |
| Mid Manhattan PAC | $13,750 | ExxonMobil | $10,000 | |
| Patton Boggs LLP | $13,083 | Citizens United | $10,000 | |
| Source:OpenSecrets[58] | ||||
| Joe Donnelly | Contribution | Richard Mourdock | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers/law firms | $463,098 | Republican/ConservativePACs | $474,661 | |
| Leadership PACs | $298,000 | Leadership PACs | $305,607 | |
| Retired | $192,716 | Retired | $244,206 | |
| Lobbyists | $109,987 | Oil & gas | $132,530 | |
| Building trade unions | $77,000 | Financial institutions | $90,200 | |
| Financial institutions | $100,235 | Commercial banks | $88,430 | |
| Education | $91,563 | Health professionals | $86,567 | |
| Building trade unions | $63,500 | Misc. finance | $64,815 | |
| Public sector unions | $87,000 | Manufacturing industry | $60,200 | |
| Political action committees | $63,798 | Real estate | $58,290 | |
| Source:OpenSecrets[59] | ||||
Mourdock became embroiled in a controversy after stating thatpregnancy from rape is "something that God intended". His remarks were made during a debate on October 23, 2012, while explaining his opposition toabortion even in the case ofrape. At the debate Mourdock, when asked what his position on abortion was, responded:
I know there are some who disagree and I respect their point of view but I believe that life begins at conception. The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that case of the life of the mother. I just struggled with it myself for a long time but I came to realize: "Life is that gift from God that I think even if life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen".[60]
Media speculated that this could affect the outcome of the Senate race and Presidential race[61] and multiple sources noted the similarities with therape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections.[62][63]
Responding to the criticism, Mourdock issued a statement saying: "God creates life, and that was my point. God does not want rape, and by no means was I suggesting that he does. Rape is a horrible thing, and for anyone to twist my words otherwise is absurd and sick."[64] He was later quoted at a press conference also saying: "I believe God controls the universe. I don't believe biology works in an uncontrolled fashion."[65] He however refused to issue an apology, even while prominent Republicans, including Sen.John McCain, called for him to do so.[66]
A day before the controversy started, a television ad began airing that showed GovernorMitt Romney, the Republican nominee for United States President, supporting Mourdock.[67] The Romney campaign subsequently issued a statement saying "Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock's comments, and they do not reflect his views," but did not pull the ad. SenatorJohn Cornyn, chairman of theNational Republican Senatorial Committee, said "Richard and I, along with millions of Americans—including even Joe Donnelly—believe that life is a gift from God. To try and construe his words as anything other than a restatement of that belief is irresponsible and ridiculous".[68][69]
Many public Republicans called for Mourdock to apologize for the statement. Sen. John McCain called for him to issue an apology and his support "depends on what he does."[66] SenatorScott Brown refused to state that he supported Mourdock in the election.[70] Rep.Mike Pence, a Republican running for governor of Indiana concurrent to Mourdock's senatorial campaign, urged Mourdock to apologize. "I strongly disagree with the statement made by Richard Mourdock during last night's Senate debate," he said in a statement. "I urge him to apologize."[71]
President Obama stated, "Rape is rape. It is a crime," on theTonight Show. He continued, "These various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me."[72]Dan Parker, chairman of theIndiana Democratic Party, immediately criticized Mourdock, saying: "I'm stunned and ashamed that Richard Mourdock believes God intended rape", and claimed that he is an "extremist" who is out of touch with Indiana.[60]
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[73] | Tossup | November 1, 2012 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[74] | Lean D(flip) | November 5, 2012 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[75] | Tilt D(flip) | November 2, 2012 |
| Real Clear Politics[76] | Tossup | November 5, 2012 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Mourdock (R) | Joe Donnelly (D) | Andrew Horning (L) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[77] | March 26–28, 2012 | 503 | ± 4.4% | 35% | 35% | 7% | — | 23% |
| Rasmussen Reports[78] | May 23–24, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 42% | — | 2% | 14% |
| Rasmussen Reports[79] | July 31 – August 1, 2012 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 42% | 40% | — | 3% | 15% |
| Market Research Insight[80] | August 6–9, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 39% | 3% | — | 17% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[81] | September 19–23, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 40% | 7% | — | 8% |
| Rasmussen Reports[82] | October 10–11, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 47% | 42% | — | 2% | 8% |
| Pharos Research[83] | October 19–21, 2012 | 754 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 46% | — | — | 8% |
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[84] | October 28–30, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 47% | 6% | — | 11% |
| Rasmussen Reports[82] | November 1, 2012 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 45% | 6% | — | 6% |
with Richard Lugar
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Richard Lugar (R) | Joe Donnelly (D) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howey Politics/DePauw University[77] | March 26–28, 2012 | 503 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 29% | — | 21% |
On election night, Donnelly won by about six percent. Donnelly performed well inMarion County, home ofIndianapolis. Donnelly also won areas with major college campuses, such asIndiana University inBloomington andPurdue University inLafayette. Mourdock performed well as expected in the Indianapolis suburbs, such asHamilton County. Mourdock conceded defeat to Donnelly at around 11:30 p.m. EST.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Donnelly | 1,281,181 | 50.04% | +50.04% | |
| Republican | Richard Mourdock | 1,133,621 | 44.28% | −43.08% | |
| Libertarian | Andy Horning | 145,282 | 5.68% | −6.91% | |
| Write-in | 18 | 0.00% | -0.06% | ||
| Total votes | 2,560,102 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | |||||
Donnelly won five of nine congressional districts, including three held by Republicans.[86]
| District | Donnelly | Mourdock | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 66.31% | 30.99% | Pete Visclosky |
| 2nd | 49.94% | 45.42% | Joe Donnelly (112th Congress) |
| Jackie Walorski (113th Congress) | |||
| 3rd | 40.47% | 53.96% | Marlin Stutzman |
| 4th | 43.56% | 49.03% | Todd Rokita |
| 5th | 47.36% | 46.18% | Dan Burton (112th Congress) |
| Susan Brooks (113th Congress) | |||
| 6th | 43.68% | 48.93% | Mike Pence (112th Congress) |
| Luke Messer (113th Congress) | |||
| 7th | 66.03% | 28.00% | André Carson |
| 8th | 47.74% | 46.84% | Larry Bucshon |
| 9th | 46.81% | 47.20% | Todd Young |
Official campaign websites
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