2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the nine U.S. Representatives from the state, one from each of the state's nine congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election, an election to the U.S. Senate, and a gubernatorial election.

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana
November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)
All 9 Indiana seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 6 3
Seats won 7 2
Seat change 1 1
Popular vote 1,351,760 1,142,554
Percentage 52.93% 44.74%
Swing 2.72% 5.86%
Elections in Indiana
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
State government
State elections
Gubernatorial elections
State Senate elections
State House of Representatives elections
Evansville
Mayoral Elections
Fort Wayne
Mayoral Elections
Gary
Mayoral Elections
Indianapolis
Mayoral Elections
Before Unigov
Unigov-era
City-County Council Elections
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Mayoral Elections

Overview
United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2012[1]
Party Votes Percentage Seats +/–
Republican 1,351,760 52.93% 7 +1
Democratic 1,142,554 44.74% 2 -1
Libertarian 59,429 2.33% 0 -
Independents 3 <0.01% 0 -
Totals 2,553,746 100.00% 9 -

Redistricting

A redistricting bill was passed by both houses of the Indiana General Assembly in April 2011[2][3] and signed into law by Governor Mitch Daniels on May 10, 2011.

The newly drawn map was designed to produce seven districts which are favorable to the Republican Party and two which favor the Democratic Party. Republicans described the districts as being more compact and more in keeping with existing county boundaries than the previous map,[4] while Democrats argue that the map is intended to protect Republican incumbents and help the Republican Party win the 2nd district.[2]

District 1
Further information: Indiana's 1st congressional district

The district, based in the suburbs and exurbs of Chicago, acquired parts of LaPorte County, including Michigan City, in redistricting.[5]

Incumbent Democrat Pete Visclosky faced Republican nominee Joel Phelps, an industrial engineer.[6]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pete Visclosky (incumbent) 42,219 100.0
Total votes 42,219 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Phelps 11,952 100.0
Total votes 11,952 100.0

Results
Indiana's 1st congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pete Visclosky (incumbent) 187,743 67.3
Republican Joel Phelps 91,291 32.7
Total votes 279,034 100.0
Democratic hold

District 2
Further information: Indiana's 2nd congressional district

In redistricting, parts of the state which typically favor Republicans, including Elkhart County, Miami County, Wabash County and much of Kosciusko County, were moved into the 2nd district, while Democratic-leaning areas such as Kokomo and part of LaPorte County were removed from the district.[2]

Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly, who has represented the 2nd district since 2007, ran for the U.S. Senate rather than for re-election to the House of Representatives.[7] Brendan Mullen, an Army veteran and military contractor[8] was the Democratic nominee. Former State Representative Jackie Walorski won the Republican nomination for the second consecutive time. Joe Ruiz was the Libertarian nominee.[9] Andrew Straw, an attorney, switched from the Democratic Party to Green Party and ran for this seat.[10][11] Straw was an Indiana Supreme Court analyst and an assistant dean at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in charge of the International Program.[12]

Prior to announcing his Senate campaign, Donnelly commented that he was confident that a Democrat would be able to win the district, noting that then-Senator Barack Obama would have received 49% of the vote in the district in the 2008 presidential election had it been held under the newly drawn boundaries.[13]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brendan Mullen 11,218 54.1
Democratic Dan Morrison 9,519 45.9
Total votes 20,737 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jackie Walorski 46,873 72.8
Republican Greg Andrews 17,522 27.2
Total votes 64,395 100.0

Results
Indiana's 2nd congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jackie Walorski 134,033 49.0
Democratic Brendan Mullen 130,113 47.6
Libertarian Joe Ruiz 9,326 3.4
Independent Kenneth R. Lunce, Jr. (write-in) 3 0.0
Total votes 273,475 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 3
Further information: Indiana's 3rd congressional district

The 3rd district is expected to remain favorable to Republicans.[2] Among the changes made in redistricting were the removal of Elkhart County from the 4th district to the 2nd, and the addition of areas south of Fort Wayne, which may make Stutzman vulnerable to a primary challenge.[5]

Incumbent Republican Marlin Stutzman ran for re-election and faced Democratic nominee Kevin Boyd, the pastor of Fort Wayne's Trinity Presbyterian Church.[14]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kevin R. Boyd 5,985 47.8
Democratic Tommy A. Schrader 1,694 13.5
Democratic Stephen G. Hope 1,441 11.5
Democratic Justin Kuhnle 1,265 10.1
Democratic David Sowards 1,172 9.4
Democratic John Forrest Roberson 966 7.7
Total votes 12,523 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Marlin Stutzman (incumbent) 74,812 100.0
Total votes 74,812 100.0

Results
Indiana's 3rd congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Marlin Stutzman (incumbent) 187,872 67.0
Democratic Kevin Boyd 92,363 33.0
Total votes 280,235 100.0
Republican hold

District 4
Further information: Indiana's 4th congressional district

Republican incumbent Todd Rokita ran for re-election in 2012. He faced Democratic nominee Tara Nelson, an information technology project manager and Libertarian nominee Benjamin Gehlhausen, an economics and professional flight technology major at Purdue University.[9][15]

Rokita's home lies "about 500 yards" outside the boundaries of the newly drawn 4th district, a phenomenon he attributed in May 2011 to "a kind of comeuppance thing" on the part of members of the Indiana General Assembly in return for his having supported a nonpartisan redistricting process during his tenure as Secretary of State of Indiana. Sue Landske, a Republican member of the Indiana Senate, denied that this was the case.[16] The 4th district is expected to remain favorable to Republicans.[2]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tara E. Nelson 7,018 58.3
Democratic Lester Terry Moore 5,010 41.7
Total votes 12,028 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Todd Rokita (incumbent) 73,089 100.0
Total votes 73,089 100.0

Results
Indiana's 4th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Todd Rokita (incumbent) 168,688 61.9
Democratic Tara Nelson 93,015 34.2
Libertarian Benjamin Gehlhausen 10,565 3.9
Total votes 272,268 100.0
Republican hold

District 5
Further information: Indiana's 5th congressional district

The 5th district continues to include Hamilton County and the north side of Indianapolis,[17] but received Democratic-leaning areas in northern Marion and Madison,[5] and lost rural areas near Fort Wayne.[17] The district is expected to continue to favor Republicans.[2]

Republican incumbent Dan Burton, who had represented the 5th district since 2003 and previously represented the 6th district from 1983, retired rather than seeking re-election in 2012.[18] The Republican nominee was former U.S. Attorney Susan Brooks.[19] She faced Democratic nominee Scott Reske, a State Representative,[20][21] and Libertarian nominee Chard Reid, an economics and finance teacher at Plainfield High School.[9]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Scott Reske 13,175 63.1
Democratic Tony Long 7,692 36.9
Total votes 20,867 100.0

Republican primary
Candidates

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Susan Brooks 31,185 30.2
Republican David McIntosh 30,175 29.2
Republican John McGoff 23,773 23.0
Republican Wayne Seybold 11,874 11.5
Republican Jack Lugar 4,758 4.6
Republican Jason Anderson 1,036 1.0
Republican Matthew Mount 453 0.4
Total votes 103,254 100.0

Results
Indiana's 5th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Susan Brooks 194,570 58.4
Democratic Scott Reske 125,347 37.6
Libertarian Chard Reid 13,442 4.0
Total votes 333,359 100.0
Republican hold

District 6
Further information: Indiana's 6th congressional district

The 6th district was made more favorable to Republicans in redistricting,[25] and now stretches from Muncie to the Ohio River.[2]

Republican incumbent Mike Pence announced in May 2011 that he would run for Governor of Indiana rather than for re-election to the House of Representatives.[26] The Republican nominee in 2012 was Luke Messer, an attorney.[27] The Democratic nominee was Brad Bookout, a Delaware County Councilman.[28] The Libertarian nominee was Rex Bell, owner of a contracting business in the New Castle area.[9]

Republican primary
Candidates

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Luke Messer 32,859 40.3
Republican Travis Hankins 23,276 28.6
Republican Don Bates, Jr. 10,913 13.4
Republican Bill Frazier 8,446 10.4
Republican Joe Sizemore 2,346 2.9
Republican Allen K. Smith II 1,679 2.1
Republican Joseph S. Van Wye, Sr 989 1.2
Republican John Hatter 917 1.1
Total votes 81,425 100.0

Democratic primary
Candidates

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bradley T. Bookout 8,278 30.9
Democratic Susan Hall Heitzman 7,077 26.5
Democratic Jim Crone 5,611 21.0
Democratic Dan Bolling 3,719 13.9
Democratic George T. Holland 2,059 7.7
Total votes 26,744 100.0

Results
Indiana's 6th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Luke Messer 162,613 59.1
Democratic Brad Bookout 96,678 35.1
Libertarian Rex Bell 15,962 5.8
Total votes 275,253 100.0
Republican hold

District 7
Further information: Indiana's 7th congressional district

The 7th district lost Democratic-leaning areas in northern Marion County in redistricting, while acquiring more Republican areas in the south of the county.[5] Nonetheless, the district is expected to remain favorable to Democrats.[2]

Incumbent André Carson faced Republican nominee Carlos May, a former aide for Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.[33]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic André Carson (incumbent) 34,782 90.3
Democratic Bob "Citizen" Kern 2,048 5.3
Democratic Woodrow Wilcox 1,082 2.8
Democratic Pierre Quincy Pullins 586 1.5
Total votes 38,498 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carlos A. May 10,783 26.8
Republican Catherine Ping 9,771 24.3
Republican Steven Davis 7,727 19.1
Republican Wayne E. Harmon 4,252 10.6
Republican Anthony W. Duncan 4,079 10.1
Republican JD Miniear 2,227 5.5
Republican Lawrence B. Shouse 1,412 3.5
Total votes 40,251 100.0

Results
Indiana's 7th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic André Carson (incumbent) 162,122 62.9
Republican Carlos May 95,828 37.1
Total votes 257,950 100.0
Democratic hold

District 8
Further information: Indiana's 8th congressional district

The 8th district was made slightly more favorable to Democrats in redistricting, as a result of the removal of Fountain County, Putnam County and Warren County, all of which favor Republicans, and the addition of Dubois County, Perry County, Spencer County and part of Crawford County, all of which strongly favor neither party.[5]

Republican incumbent Larry Bucshon faced former State Representative Dave Crooks, the Democratic nominee,[34] and Bart Gadau, the Libertarian nominee.[9]

Democratic primary

The 8th district's Democratic candidates agreed to participate in a caucus in which the chairs and vice chairs of 38 counties would vote to decide the party's nominee; after which the candidates not selected would support the winner.[35] Former state representative Dave Crooks was endorsed as the Democratic nominee by party leaders on December 10, 2011. C

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Crooks 18,634 57.7
Democratic Thomas Barnett 10,638 32.9
Democratic William Bryk 3,023 9.4
Total votes 32,295 100.0

Republican primary
Candidates

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry D. Bucshon (incumbent) 34,511 58.0
Republican Kristi Risk 24,960 42.0
Total votes 59,471 100.0

Results
Indiana's 8th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Bucshon (incumbent) 151,533 53.3
Democratic Dave Crooks 122,325 43.1
Libertarian Bart Gadau 10,134 3.6
Total votes 283,992 100.0
Republican hold

District 9
Further information: Indiana's 9th congressional district

The 9th district previously consisted mostly of rural areas in southeastern Indiana but was made more favorable to Republicans when the legislature extended it northwards to include Johnson County and Morgan County while also incorporating suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky.[2][5]

Republican incumbent Todd Young ran for re-election and faced Democratic nominee Shelli Yoder. Jason Sharp was nominated by the Libertarian Party but later dropped out. Young ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary
Candidates

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shelli Yoder 13,186 47.7
Democratic Robert Winningham 5,590 20.2
Democratic Jonathan George 4,591 16.6
Democratic John W. Tilford 2,233 8.1
Democratic John Griffin Miller 2,062 7.4
Total votes 27,662 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Todd Young (incumbent) 59,327 100.0
Total votes 59,327 100.0

Results
Indiana's 9th congressional district, 2012 [1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Todd Young (incumbent) 165,332 55.4
Democratic Shelli Yoder 132,848 44.6
Total votes 298,180 100.0
Republican hold

References
  1. https://indianavoters.in.gov/ENRHistorical/ElectionResults?year=2012
  2. Davies, Tom (April 28, 2011). "New Ind. congressional districts clear Legislature". The News-Times. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  3. "Indiana Legislature OKs redistricting proposal". WNDU. April 28, 2011. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  4. Martin, Deanna (May 11, 2011). "Ind. gov signs 80 bills into law, including budget". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  5. Toeplitz, Shira (June 7, 2011). "Race Ratings: GOP Poised to Scoop Up a Seat". Roll Call. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  6. Carden, Dan (2012-05-08). "Phelps wins Republican primary for region's U.S. House seat". Nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  7. Lewis, Kevin (May 9, 2011). "Donnelly to Run for Sen. Lugar's Seat in Indiana". WNDU. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  8. Ziegler, Adam (July 12, 2011). "Brendan Mullen announces run for 2nd Congressional District seat". Fox 28. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  9. 2012 Federal Candidates Archived 2012-09-01 at the Wayback Machine, Libertarian Party of Indiana
  10. "Candidate Profile: Andrew Straw". Green Party of the United States. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  11. Staff, Truth (January 3, 2012). "Congressional candidate Straw switches to Green Party". The Elkhart Truth. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  12. Staff, Truth (May 6, 2011). "Goshen attorney Straw to run for Congress". The Elkhart Truth. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  13. Sullivan, Sean (April 11, 2011). "Joe Donnelly's Redistricting Blues". National Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  14. Brian Francisco (2012-05-09). "Boyd wins nod in 3rd District". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  15. "Benjamin Gehlhausen Biography - Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
  16. Carden, Dan (May 15, 2011). "Remap leaves U.S. Rep. Rokita outside his district". The Times. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  17. "Indiana Congressman Dan Burton plans re-election bid". The Courier-Journal. May 9, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  18. Schneider, Mary Beth (January 31, 2012). "Rep. Dan Burton announces retirement from Congress". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  19. Schneider, Mary Beth (July 19, 2011). "Former U.S. attorney joins GOP primary against Burton". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  20. Schneider, Mary Beth (September 30, 2011). "State Rep. Reske plans run for Burton's seat in Congress". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  21. Butler, Cody (2012-05-09). "Brooks, Reske Win In 5th District Primary". Indiana Public Media. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  22. Schneider, Mary Beth; Groppe, Maureen (July 31, 2011). "Behind Closed Doors: Forget the Rolex; just fill out the paperwork". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  23. Shella, Jim. "McGoff challenges Burton for 5th District". WISH-TV. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  24. Schneider, Mary Beth (July 7, 2011). "GOP primary could see McIntosh vie against Burton". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  25. Schneider, Mary Beth (July 9, 2011). "Candidates line up for Pence's open seat in Congress". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  26. Guyett, Susan (May 5, 2011). "Republican Rep. Mike Pence to run for Indiana governor". Reuters. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  27. "Bookout to face 'young gun' Messer in race for U.S. Congress seat". thestarpress.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  28. "Messer, Bookout win vote in Delaware County for U.S. Congress seat". thestarpress.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  29. Berman, Eric (October 7, 2011). "Ex-State Senator Makes Sixth Bid for Congress". WIBC. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  30. {{cite web|url=http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Coroner_to_run_for_U_S_Congres_1326216919|title=Coroner to run for U.S. Congress|date=January 10, 2012|access-date=January 13, 2012|work=The Republic}}
  31. "About Joe Van Wye". Joe Van Wye website. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  32. Roysdon, Keith; Walker, Douglas (July 24, 2011). "W/R REPORT: Meet the Muncie Dem's House candidate". The Star Press. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  33. Robbin Morey (2012-05-09). "Carson, May to meet in 7th District congressional race". IBJ.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  34. "Bucshon, Crooks cruising to wins in 8th". Tribstar.com. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
  35. Bradner, Eric (December 1, 2011). "Democratic leaders will caucus to choose 8th District candidate". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  36. Langhorne, Thomas B. (August 17, 2011). "Bucshon to face GOP opponent Kristi Risk for 8th District seat". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  37. LoBianco, Tom. "Ex-Obama security aide to run for Congress in Ind". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  38. Zion Hershberg, Ben (October 24, 2011). "Ex-aide will run in Indiana's 9th District". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  39. Schneider, Grace (May 9, 2012). "Shelli Yoder wins Democratic nod to take on Todd Young for the Indiana 9th District seat". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
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