Longtime Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) is facing a tough primary challenge from Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who claims he has one very high up supporter behind his insurgency: Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The Indiana governor has said he plans to vote for Lugar, whom he used to serve as an aide, but Mourdock says that his decision to run was heavily encouraged by Daniels.
“Before I decided to do this, he and I had three different conversations about it,” Mourdock told Hotline On Call in an interview. “And every time, he said, ‘Richard Mourdock, don’t you ever, ever, ever let anyone tell you don’t have every right to do this. You’ve earned the right. You worked 31 years in the business world. We don’t have that kind of experience very often in Washington.”
Daniels’ office confirmed the two had spoken, with a spokeswoman telling Hotline on Call that the governor “told Mr. Mourdock it was his decision and he had the right to make it.”
Mourdock and Lugar both are backing Daniels for President should he decide to run, potentially creating some awkward in-state campaign rallies.
“I believe he would be an outstanding president,” Lugar told Newsmax in a recent interview.
Benjy Sarlin
Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.
Facebook Conversations
Questions about commenting with non-Facebook accounts like Yahoo, or other concerns? Click here to read the TPM Commenting FAQ.