Mourdock, Donnelly begin squaring off ahead of November election

It was the end of an era in Indiana politics. The concession speech from Senator Richard Lugar on May 8 was an emotional one. His tenure in office will not see another term. The debate as to who should take over his U.S. Senate seat has already begun.

“Mr. Donnelly has a record that he is going to have to defend, that I do not think is very popular with the majority of Indiana voters when it goes from things like the stimulus package to ObamaCare," said Republican Richard Mourdock.

"Only in Washington, and in Richard Mourdock's world is more fighting and more partisanship a good thing,” said Democrat Joe Donnelly. “I think it is clear, it is not."

It is no surprise that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is standing behind Mourdock despite originally supporting Lugar in the primary.

"I think (Mourdock) is really well positioned to be on that ticket successfully coming up this fall," said Daniels.

Much like the primary, residents can expect to be once again flooded with campaign ads, from both sides, from now until November. Indiana's State Treasurer said plenty of campaign money will be coming in from out of state.

Mourdock said there is a lot at stake in this Senate race, and the message of national Republicans in clear.

"We are not going to sit idly by and let there be any doubt that this race is going to be in play," said Mourdock.

Congressman Donnelly said after his primary win on May 8, Mourdock has the momentum. Donnelly said he welcomes the challenge of turning the tide.

"People in our state, we are conservatives, but we are practical conservatives,” said Donnelly. “What we want to know is: how can you make our country stronger, how can you make our family's life better, and our state stronger?"