Dickerson Joins Democratic Primary For Senate Seat

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana’s U.S. Senate race to replace Dan Coats will feature two contested primaries next spring.  A longtime advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities announced Saturday he will join the Democratic primary.

John Dickerson says he was first urged to run months ago by longtime friend and former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis, before Dan Coats had even decided to retire.  And he cites three issues that have helped convince him to vie for Coats’ seat: the debate over climate change, restoring the Voting Rights Act, and that future federal budgets ensure people with disabilities don’t lose their safety net.

“What I believe I bring to this process is a sense of optimism, a knowledge of how do we change things, and the great passion to make that possible,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson has never run for office before, but he says he thinks that will appeal to people.

“What’s encouraging to people is somebody that isn’t a career politician is out there willing to put themselves forward and talk about things,” he said.

Dickerson will face former Congressman Baron Hill in the Democratic primary.