The 2012 United States Senate election in Indiana took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Richard Lugar ran for reelection to a seventh term but was defeated in the primary by Tea Party-backed Richard Mourdock. Lugar was the longest-serving senator ever to lose renomination.

U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana'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 , this is the last time Democrats won any statewide election in Indiana. This was also the last Senate election in which an elected incumbent was defeated in the primary until 2026, and the last time either party would flip a Senate seat in a presidential election year without carrying the state in the concurrent presidential election. Additionally, it was the last time until 2024 where the opposite party picked up a seat in a cycle after losing the previous one a cycle earlier.

Background and overview On November 7, 2006, incumbent Richard 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. After the 2012 election, Lugar would have had an even chance, according to Senate Republican Conference rules, to be elected as its president pro tempore. 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.

Republican primary The Republican primary was held on May 8, 2012.

Candidates Declared Richard Lugar, incumbent U.S. senator Richard Mourdock, state treasurer

Declined Mike Delph, state senator Bob Thomas, auto dealer

Campaign Due to Lugar's unpopularity among some Tea Party voters because of his positions regarding illegal immigration, voting to confirm then-U.S. Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, the DREAM Act, the New START Treaty, some gun control bills, and congressional earmarks, he was challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate.

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. 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%.

Mourdock defeated Senator Lugar in the Republican primary on May 8, 2012.

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.

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RichardMourdock RichardLugar UndecidedBasswood Research (R)Basswood Research (R) July 23–24, 2011 500 ±4.4% 34% 32% 34%American Viewpoint (R)American Viewpoint (R) July 27–28, 2011 600 ±4.0% 31% 45% 23%Howey Politics/DePauw UniversityHowey Politics/DePauw University March 26–28, 2012 503 ±4.5% 35% 42% 28%Howey Politics/DePauw UniversityHowey Politics/DePauw University April 30 – May 1, 2012 700 ±3.7% 48% 38% 14%

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Declared Joe Donnelly, U.S. Representative from

Declined Brad Ellsworth, former U.S. Representative from and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Baron Hill, former U.S. Representative from

Results Donnelly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

General election Candidates Joe Donnelly (D), U.S. Representative Andrew Horning (L), product manager and nominee for governor in 2008 Richard Mourdock (R), Indiana State Treasurer

Debates Confirmed debates with Donnelly, Horning and Mourdock are:

Date: Monday, October 15 Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT City: Indianapolis Venue: WFYI-TV (in studio/no live audience) Complete video of debate, October 15, 2012 – C-SPAN

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) Complete video of debate, October 23, 2012 – C-SPAN

Fundraising Candidate (party) Receipts Disbursements Cash on hand Debt (D) $5,572,319 $5,496,760 $95,578 $0 (R) $8,982,053 $8,698,721 $283,332 $0 (L) $4,907 $2,905 $2,005 $0 Source: Federal Election Commission

Top contributors 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 Global WPP 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

Top industries Joe Donnelly Contribution Richard Mourdock Contribution Lawyers/law firms $463,098 Republican/Conservative PACs $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

Campaign Pregnancy from rape controversy

Mourdock became embroiled in a controversy after stating that pregnancy from rape is "something that God intended". His remarks were made during a debate on October 23, 2012, while explaining his opposition to abortion even in the case of rape. 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".

Media speculated that this could affect the outcome of the Senate race and Presidential race and multiple sources noted the similarities with the rape and pregnancy statement controversies in the 2012 United States elections.

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." 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." He however refused to issue an apology, even while prominent Republicans, including Sen. John McCain, called for him to do so.

Response A day before the controversy started, a television ad began airing that showed Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for United States President, supporting Mourdock. 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. Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the National 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".Richard Mourdock's response to abortion question provokes controversy in Indiana Senate debate In Indianapolis Star October 24, 2012

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." Senator Scott Brown refused to state that he supported Mourdock in the election. 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."

President Obama stated, "Rape is rape. It is a crime," on the Tonight Show. He continued, "These various distinctions about rape don't make too much sense to me." Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana 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.

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RichardMourdock (R) JoeDonnelly (D) AndrewHorning (L) Other UndecidedHowey Politics/DePauw UniversityHowey Politics/DePauw University March 26–28, 2012 503 ± 4.4% 35% 35% 7% — 23%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports May 23–24, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 42% 42% — 2% 14%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 31 – August 1, 2012 400 ± 5.0% 42% 40% — 3% 15%Market Research InsightMarket Research Insight August 6–9, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 41% 39% 3% — 17%Howey Politics/DePauw UniversityHowey Politics/DePauw University September 19–23, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 38% 40% 7% — 8%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 10–11, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 47% 42% — 2% 8%Pharos ResearchPharos Research October 19–21, 2012 754 ± 3.6% 46% 46% — — 8%Howey Politics/DePauw UniversityHowey Politics/DePauw University October 28–30, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 36% 47% 6% — 11%Rasmussen Reports November 1, 2012 600 ± 4.0% 42% 45% 6% — 6%

with Richard Lugar Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RichardLugar (R) JoeDonnelly (D) Other UndecidedHowey Politics/DePauw University March 26–28, 2012 503 ± 4.4% 50% 29% — 21%

Results On election night, Donnelly won by about six percent. Donnelly performed well in Marion County, home of Indianapolis. Donnelly also won areas with major college campuses, such as Indiana University in Bloomington and Purdue University in Lafayette. Mourdock performed well as expected in the Indianapolis suburbs, such as Hamilton County. Mourdock conceded defeat to Donnelly at around 11:30 p.m. EST.

Results by county