LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Voters in Indiana will go to the polls Tuesday for their primary election and one of the contests on the ballot is one of the most watched in the country.
The Republican race for US Senate includes two congressmen and a businessman, all of them are on the campaign trail touting why they best represent the qualities of President Donald Trump in a state at the heart of “Trump Country”.
Analysts are watching closely to see if the Republican Party can turn a blue seat red with polls suggesting that the winner of Tuesday’s primary has a real shot and defeating incumbent Democrat, Senator Joe Donnelly. Others are intrigued by just how down and dirty the campaign has become with millions of dollars being spent on attack ads.
Monday, two of the three candidates were in Southern Indiana. Congressman Todd Rokita spent time with voters in Sellersburg while Congressman Luke Messer met with voters in New Albany.
We sat down for a one-on-one interview with businessman Mike Braun when he was in our area last week.
We asked the candidates about the campaign trail claims and the suggestion by at least one Republican strategist that the candidates are trying to “out Trump” the others proving they best embody the Trump agenda popular to GOP voters in the Hoosier State.
“This man is making America great again,” Rep. Todd Rokita said. “I think everyone I talk to truly understands that he wants to put and is putting the interest of this country above of everything else people. That it's cutting through the negative news media, cutting through everything."
"I'm optimistic we'll bring this party back together,” Rep. Luke Messer said. “Because I believe we will win in just a few hours and we've stayed laser-focused on the facts. I've got a record of being very supportive of President Trump. That's the record we've taken to voters and I'm incredibly optimistic.”
Mike Braun said, “Well, the inspiration for me was President Trump when he cleared the field back in ’16, you know. the ultimate outsider.”
Polls will remain open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and WHAS11 will have updated poll results for you on-air, online and on social media as the numbers come in.
►Contact reporter Chris Williams at cwilliams@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@chriswnews) and Facebook.