Controversial Congressman Expected to Enter Indiana Senate Race

image
Zion MoulderZion Moulder
Published: 04 May, 2015
1 min read

INDIANA -- Indiana U.S. Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe) is expected to make a 'major announcement' on Saturday. Current speculation suggests that he will announce his intentions to run for U.S. Senator Dan Coats' (R) soon-to-be-vacated seat. Coats previously indicated that he will not seek re-election in 2016.

From Marlin Stutzman's campaign Facebook page:

"If you believe that we need bold, decisive leadership, committed to securing our future and ensuring a strong America, then... Join us next Saturday, May 9 on Main Street in Roanoke!"

Stutzman indicated his interest in running for Senate shortly after Sen. Coats announced he wasn't seeking re-election. Stutzman is a staunch advocate for repealing Obamacare and has critiqued the Obama administration throughout his tenure in the U.S. House.

Stutzman was one of a handful of Republicans to vote against John Boehner for House Speaker after Boehner allegedly deceived Stutzman and other representatives into voting for the "cromnibus" budget bill in December. Stutzman received national attention during the government shutdown in 2013 when he said, "We're not going to be disrespected. We have to get something out of this, and I don't know what that even is.”

Marlin Stutzman's likely departure from the U.S. House means that his current constituents will have an opportunity to elect a new face to represent them. It is unlikely that a person of the opposite party or no party will replace Stutzman. It cannot be ruled out, however, that a current state legislator might seek the congressional seat, which might lead to a change (albeit small) in the composition of Indiana's state legislature as well.

You Might Also Like

Proposition 50 voter guide
California Prop 50: Partisan Power Play or Necessary Counterpunch?
November 4 marks a special election for what has become the most controversial ballot measure in California in recent memory: Proposition 50, which would circumvent congressional districts drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission for a legislative-drawn map....
01 Oct, 2025
-
9 min read
court gavel.
Virtual Discussion: The Fight for Equal Independent Voting Rights Makes it to SCOTUS
Every major voting rights movement in U.S. history – whether successful or not – has intertwined with landmark litigation. This was the case for women’s suffrage. It was the case for civil rights. And it is the case in the ongoing effort to protect the right of all voters to have equal participation in taxpayer-funded elections – something millions of independent voters are denied across the U.S....
29 Sep, 2025
-
2 min read
Supreme Court building
SCOTUS Considers Challenge to Closed Primaries -- Here's Why It Is Such a Big Deal
In a dramatic step forward for litigation challenging closed primaries, the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated they are going to conference to discuss whether to grant a writ of certiorari to Polelle v. Florida Secretary of State; a case challenging Florida's closed primaries that Open Primaries has supported since its inception....
26 Sep, 2025
-
2 min read