INDIANAPOLIS -- Congressman Todd Young beat Marlin Stutzman in Tuesday's GOP primary to replace the retiring Dan Coats in the U.S. Senate.
Coats congratulated Young on his victory
When I announced over a year ago that I would not run for re-election, I said that there comes a time to pass this demanding job to the next generation. Tonight Hoosiers definitively chose the person who will carry the torch forward in November.
Young and Stutzman took office within two months of each other in the U.S. House of Representatives.
On the campaign trail, Young touted his service in the Marines and advocacy for conservative principles.
We don't need more grandstanding politicians. We need a Marine to clean up the mess in Washington. #INSen #INPrimary https://t.co/uYEHzeFo2n
Much of the campaign between Young and Stutzman centered around party loyalty and painting each other as a career or establishment politicians.
PREVIOUS | Marlin Stutzman, Todd Young stress differences in debate | Ads in Young, Stutzman race go negative |
Young's campaign was not without its challenges.
The state Democratic Party and Stutzman contended that Young's paperwork to run for the state's open U.S. Senate seat was three voter signatures shy of meeting a state requirement for him to appear on the May primary ballot.
Young's campaign dismissed the challenge as a "political stunt," and a deadlocked 2-2 vote by the Indiana Election Commission meant the challenge went nowhere.
Ultimately, the Indiana Democratic Party decided not file a lawsuit over the issue.
Stutzman also took some heat late in the campaign after reports surfaced that he used campaign funds to pay for a family trip.
Stutzman said his family joined him at campaign-related events.
He told WOWO radio in Fort Wayne, "It was during the summer break for the boys and we decided, hey, if there is a way to stay together and do this trip that way I'm not away from my family."
Stutzman did reimburse the campaign for his family's portion of the trip, according to his campaign director.
Young's victory is significant for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
CNN reports that McConnell's super PAC, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, pumped money into the Indiana race in a bid to defeat Stutzman, who McConnell fears is a second coming of Cruz, and another threat to his authority.
Stutzman has been a leader of the Tea Party in the House since he joined Congress.
