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Indiana's Senate race could go either way after new numbers show choosing a winner is a 'toss-up'

Posted at 11:13 PM, Sep 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-22 00:01:11-04

INDNIANAPOLIS -- The U.S. Senate race in Indiana could go either way in November, according to a recent shift in analysis from The University of Virginia Center for Politics. 

The seat, which has been 'leaning Democratic' since the start of the race, has now shifted to a 'toss-up.'

At one point Evan Bayh was reportedly leading by double digits, but now, Indiana’s race is one of only four U.S. Senate races that are considered a ‘toss-up’ by the center for politics.

That means Indiana voters could determine who controls the senate.

Outside money is flowing into Indiana’s Senate race, to fund brand new negative ads across the state. The NRA and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign committee are the latest organizations to go on the attack.

“People are looking at our state in terms of the Senate and saying if this goes blue, what kind of an impact it has,” said Laura Merrifield-Albright, Political Science Professor at the University of Indiana. “If we stay red, what kind of impact it has. And it’s much bigger than just the state of Indiana.

The candidates and their campaigns are well aware of what’s at stake.

Tuesday, the Indiana Democratic Party held a press conference to criticize Todd Young’s stance on social security and votes on the budget in 2011.

But both parties insist the ‘toss-up’ in the race, isn’t changing their strategy.

Merrifield-Albright says you can expect to see more negative ads and even more outside money pouring into the state during the final six and a half weeks leading up to the November elections.