INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Democratic Party will not file a lawsuit over claims Todd Young didn't receive enough signatures to be on the ballot.
The state Democratic Party and tea party-backed GOP Rep. Marlin 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.
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State Democratic Party Chairman John Zody announced Friday he wouldn't be pursuing legal action on the issue:
“Clearly, Todd Young did not take getting his name on the ballot seriously. The facts are clear. It took help from Republican insiders for Todd Young to remain on the primary ballot after it was established that he did not meet the minimum certified signature requirements of Indiana law. And instead of owning up to his mistake, Todd Young chose to point the finger at someone else and simply say “stuff happens”. This isn’t a sign of leadership – but rather one of a candidate who believes the rules don’t apply to him. That’s Todd Young, a candidate who will use any loophole to get his way instead of employing a Hoosier work ethic to simply get the job done. But, after thoroughly exploring all options and what is best for our candidates and Party moving forward, the Indiana Democratic Party will not pursue legal action at this time regarding Todd Young’s candidacy for U.S. Senate.”
Young and Stutzman are competing to fill the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Dan Coats.
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