Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFYI and WBAA

Donnelly Says He's Ready For Fight Against Braun

Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) says he's ready for a fight against Republican Senate candidate Mike Braun.
Lauren Chapman/IPB News
Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) says he's ready for a fight against Republican Senate candidate Mike Braun.

U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) officially welcomed Republican Mike Braun Wednesday to what’s likely to be one of the most contentious races in the country this fall.

Indiana’s Senate Republican primary was dubbed one of the nastiest in the nation. Braun, who emerged the victor, now sets his sights on incumbent Donnelly.

“I think Joe Donnelly’s got a record that’s not that great and he’s got a pretty liberal voting record as well,” Braun says.

Donnelly says he hopes the campaign will focus on issues, including health care and tax reform. But he says he’s also ready to defend himself and his record.

“If somebody wants to take a swing at me, I’ll be right there to fight back," Donnelly says. "If somebody wants to throw a fastball at my head, I’ve played a lot of baseball – I’m ready to go in the other direction too.”

Donnelly is one of 10 Democratic senators up for re-election this year in states President Donald Trump won in 2016.

Brandon Smith was the Statehouse reporter for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He also hosted Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.