IBJ election roundup: Study up on top races before you head to the polls
From Indiana’s intense U.S. Senate race to the surge in female candidates to school referendums, the state has been propelled by major political currents this election season.
Political contributions
Top Indiana CEOs drop $650K on PACs, races
An IBJ analysis of political giving this election by CEOs of Indiana’s biggest companies found 56 executives donated $650,000 to nearly 92 organizations and candidates seeking federal office.
Outside groups have spent nearly $28M on Indiana Senate race this month
It’s a big jump from the end of August, when only 13 outside super PACs had spent money in Indiana to try to influence the nationally watched race.
IBJ Podcast: Breaking down Indiana’s Senate race
Host Mason King talks to IBJ political reporter Lindsey Erdody about the race, her experience on the campaign trail with the candidates, and what we know about early voting.
Three of Indiana’s congressional challengers raise more than GOP incumbents in latest quarter
The Indiana candidates are not alone: Republican incumbents in 92 U.S. House districts raised less than their Democratic challengers from July 1-Sept. 30, according to an analysis from Politico. That’s compared to only five Democratic House incumbents being out-raised.
Secretive PACs key source of funds in U.S. Senate race
The money flowing into a competitive U.S. Senate race can weave an intricate web of sources.
Braun appears to use finance ploy to free up more money for campaign
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Braun continues to pump his own money into his campaign, and appears to be engaging in the controversial but legal practice of using donations for retiring debt from his primary race to boost his general election campaign.
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard to seek 7th term
The 64-year-old Republican told IBJ that he hasn’t made a formal announcement, but he has been telling anyone who asks him that he will run again.
Senate candidate Mike Braun ditches self-funding strategy
Political strategists say it’s not surprising: The candidates and outside groups could spend more than $100 million on the Senate race, which makes self-funding extremely difficult.
Trump could continue to be big focus in Braun vs. Donnelly race for Senate
But political experts say a Trump-centered strategy might not be the best move now that Mike Braun has won the GOP primary race and will face Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly in the fall election.
Spending piles up in Indiana’s GOP Senate race
Three Republican challengers and the incumbent Democrat have raised nearly $22 million and spent nearly $14 million.
Braun outspends fellow Senate hopefuls Rokita, Messer combined in first quarter
U.S. Senate Republican candidate Mike Braun also has the most cash on hand going into the final weeks of the campaign, although most of the funding is coming from himself.
Simon sisters among top political donors nationwide
Carmel philanthropists and sisters Deborah Simon and Cindy Simon Skjodt have become big-time campaign donors this election cycle.
Fierce battle set in GOP Senate race
It’s going to be ugly and expensive. That’s the message political experts are sharing about the Republican primary that will decide who will challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly in the fall.
Donnelly’s war chest swells to $5.3M, getting help from top Democrats
Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly’s reelection campaign raised $1.2 million during the last three months of 2017. Prominent Democrats are hosting fundraisers and stumping for the vulnerable, red-state candidate.
Donnelly leads in fundraising as Senate race heats up
U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana is holding strong against would-be challengers when it comes to fundraising ahead of what’s sure to be a competitive 2018 race.
Indiana governor, state GOP form joint fundraising effort
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has started a new political action committee to raise money for his campaign committee and the state Republican Party.
Democrats already targeting 9th congressional district in 2018 election
Democrats thought Indiana’s 9th district would be competitive in 2016, but Rep. Trey Hollingsworth won the election by 14 percentage points. Progressives think they’ll have a much better shot in 2018, especially if President Donald Trump stumbles.
Pence takes steps to build war chest amid White House controversy
Indiana's former governor launched Great America Committee, a leadership PAC, a move that will enable him to channel money to congressional Republicans ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.