Indiana Senate: Lugar’s Loss is Democrats’ Gain

As expected, six-term incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar lost the Republican primary on Tuesday to state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Less expected was Mourdock’s impressive 61-percent to 39-percent margin of victory. Neither party wasted any time moving on to the general election. Republicans embraced Mourdock as their nominee, while Democrats sought to capitalize on Lugar’s defeat and promote their standard-bearer, U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly.Indiana is not an easy state for Democrats, particularly in a presidential year, but Mourdock has provided them with some arguments that they hope will work to Donnelly’s advantage. While this race is only 48 hours old and both candidates need to prove themselves on the larger general election playing field, Democrats see an opportunity that might not have existed had Lugar won the primary. As such, the race moves to the Lean Republican column.First elected in 1976, Lugar has had a long and distinguished career in the Senate. He is respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and is considered one of the chamber’s nicest members. He has tended to Indiana’s agricultural interests, but has truly