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Bayh-Young Senate race takes on nasty tone

Posted at 8:47 PM, Jul 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-19 22:54:11-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's U.S. Senate race has taken on a nasty tone with just four months to go before the election.

Republican Congressman Todd Young says he'll continue to emphasize his connection to Indiana moving forward. His campaign immediately took a negative tone after former Senator Evan Bayh announced his candidacy – attacking Bayh's character and residency.

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The race, once considered Republican-favored, is now tilting Democrat, according to the Rothenberg and Gonzales Political Report and Roll Call Rating – a national, non-partisan analysis.

Indiana's open seat is also now considered a significant factor in which party controls the Senate.

Young's campaign released digital ads this week calling Bayh a "super lobbyist."

Bayh told us he isn't running to say anything about Young.

"I'm running to try to help Hoosier families meet the challenges they face: good jobs; affordable college; enforcing trade agreements so that foreign countries aren't taking our jobs or closing our businesses," Bayh said.

Young said it was clear that people want "fundamental change."

"I'm a Marine. I'm a Hoosier. I'm facing someone who calls Washington home and, frankly, has become Washington over the years," Young said. "And there's going to be a contrast there, and I like my chances."

Democrat Bob Kern has also filed paperwork to enter the U.S. Senate Race in the spot vacated by Baron Hill. The person selected as the Democratic Party's nominee will face Young and Libertarian Lucy Brenton in the General Election in November.