Indiana’s U.S. senate race has mirrored the presidential one, due to an overwhelming number of negative ads citing ethical violations, alleged misuse of funds and other issues, some with Democrat Evan Bayh as the culprit.
The former senator and governor is accused of meeting with potential Wall Street employers while on official business in Washington and of using taxpayer dollars to fly to New York City for meetings with executives of Apollo Global Management, a private firm he joined in January of 2011.
Young, a naval veteran who has served Indiana’s 9th congressional district since 2011, has come under fire, as well. The South Bend Tribune reported this week that he collected an improper tax deduction on a rental home, bounced a $4,000 check when making a payment on delinquent property taxes and was fined thousands of dollars by the Federal Election Commission for sloppy campaign finance practices.
What initially seemed to be a clear-cut victory for Bayh is no more, according to a poll released Monday by Monmouth University that has the Democrat and his Republican opponent tied at 45 percent.
Lucy Brenton, the Libertarian candidate, aligns with others in her party, advocating less governmental input in the lives of citizens.
Summary of platforms:
Bayh
For:
• Reduced funding regulations for small business owners
• Enhanced domestic intelligence
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
• Same-sex marriage
• More stringent background checks for gun ownership
• Funding Planned Parenthood
• Providing an earned path to citizenship for undocumented citizens
Against:
• Cutting Social Security and Medicare funding
• Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
• Citizen’s United
• Photo ID requirements for voters
Brenton
For:
• Stricter policy on reducing environmental pollution
• Second Amendment rights
• Marijuana decriminalization
• Abolishing the minimum wage
Against:
• Abortion legislation
• Corporate taxes
• Affordable Care Act
Young
For:
• Vouchers for school choice
• Abstinence-only education
• Decreased government spending
• Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security reform
• Has neutral record on same-sex marriage and LGBT rights
Against:
• Abortion
• Affordable Care Act
• Higher taxes on the wealthy
• More restrictive gun control
• Increasing path to citizenship for illegal immigrants
• Funding Planned Parenthood
• Voted to cut Pell Grant funding
