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Millions being poured into Indiana Senate race

Posted at 12:24 AM, Jul 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-29 00:24:20-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Millions of dollars are already flooding into Indiana's Senate race between Evan Bayh and Congressman Todd Young.

A national, non-partisan analysis shows the race has tilted Democrat, after it was one-considered Republican-favored.

That change has led the Koch Brothers and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to get more involved with seven-figure ad buys.

With control of the Senate at stake, Indiana has become a focus for Republicans and Democrats at the national level.

IUPUI Associated Professor of Communication Studies Kristy Sheeler says Bayh's entry into the race factors into the tone.

"It's a big name," she said. "He doesn't have to go through the early introductions to voters. Voters already have a sense of who he is."

The Koch Brothers' super PAC is spending $1 million to attack Bayh. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee confirms it has also earmarked $1 million for ads against Young.

Sheeler says voters shouldn't expect the negative tone to let up before Election Day – in fact, it's likely to get even nastier.