Superintendent race could be interesting

WISHTV.COM

markmellinger

Updated: Oct 18, 2012 10:21 PM

Dr. Tony Bennett

SUPERINTENDENT RACE: Indiana Republicans say the state superintendent, Dr. Tony Bennett, will start running TV ads next week. Bennett, of course, has taken a lot of heat from teachers and others for shaking up education in Indiana by backing measures like merit pay, school vouchers, and more testing in the name of increased accountability. The Republican has significantly outraised his opponent, Democrat Glenda Ritz, and should have a built-in advantage in this deep red state. No polling has been released, though the campaign reportedly has been doing some. The fact that Bennett’s hitting the airwaves, however, is a sign he’s not where he wants to be. As one Republican operative put it, “There’s a reason for going on the air.”

DEMS GETTING NERVOUS ON DONNELLY: Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Donnelly has run a good, disciplined campaign against Republican Richard Mourdock in the battle to replace Richard Lugar. The past few weeks, most polls had shown Donnelly with a narrow lead. But the onslaught of commercials from outside groups opposing Donnelly, along with Mourdock’s considerable financial advantage, may be taking their toll. A new poll from Rasmussen gives Mourdock a five-point edge.

The race is still competitive and within Donnelly’s reach, but Democrats are concerned. They’re happy that Lugar refuses to campaign for or formally endorse Mourdock and would love for him to endorse Donnelly, but doubt that will happen. It appears Lugar will instead be out of the country and remain out of sight altogether during the home stretch of this election.

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