Senate Conservatives Fund — http://senateconservatives.com/site/printer/144/new-scf-online-poll-indiana
Indiana Senator
Evan Bayh (D) announced today that he will not seek re-election this year, a decision that hands conservatives a prime pickup opportunity.
We are moving the Indiana Senate race onto our
2010 SCF Watch List. We are are also launching a new online poll to see which candidate our members believe is the best conservative in the race.
Former Senator
Dan Coats (R) and former Congressman
John Hostettler (R) have the highest name ID of the candidates currently in the race, but they also have their drawbacks. Coats hasn't lived in Indiana for over a decade, he's a Washington, DC lobbyist, and he has a mixed record on the 2nd Amendment. Hostettler was defeated by a Democrat in 2006 and some conservatives have taken issue with his opposition to the Iraq War.
There is another candidate in the race named
Marlin Stutzman (R) who is not as well-known but who
has a compelling story and appears to be gaining momentum. Stutzman is a fourth-generation family farmer and a state Senator. He also
supports true budget reform, is anti-tax, pro-2nd Amendment, and 100% pro-life.
Erick Erickson, the editor of RedState.com, recently
announced his support for Stutzman. Stutzman could become the candidate conservatives and Tea Party activists unite behind.
Before we make a an endorsement in this race, we want to know what you think. Read up on the candidates and then take our 2010 Indiana Senate Poll and tell us whether you support
Dan Coats,
John Hostettler,
Marlin Stutzman,
Don Bates, Jr., or are
Undecided.
Note: These are the only four candidates who have secured the necessary 5,000 signatures to get on the ballot for the May 4 Republican primary.
This poll will close on Friday, Feb 26, 2010.