Self-funder Mike Braun far outspending rivals for GOP Senate nomination, paying out $4.5M
Summary
As Indianas only statewide-elected Democrat in a state that Donald Trump won by 19 percentage points, Donnelly is viewed as one of Republicans best chances of expanding its majority in the narrowly-divided Senate. In his most talked about ad, Braun carries around cardboard cutouts of his opponents and asks people if they can tell the difference between Messer and Rokita who have “been in the game of politics all their lives.” Rokita, who wears boxing gloves in one ad and a red Make America Great Again hat in most, is selling himself as the Trumpian fighter who will “proudly stand with our President and Mike Pence to drain the swamp.” (His most recent disclosure report shows $530 in items purchased from the "Trump Make America Great Again Committee.") Most of Messer’s ads feature his family — first his daughters, then his son’s fifth grade basketball team and then his mom — as he pitches himself as a big advocate for Trump’s agenda. But the outside spending in the primary has been far less than in the 2016 battle between Tea Party favorite Marlin Stutzman and Todd Young, who was backed by the GOP establishment. More: Mike Braun, a Republican Senate candidate, brings casual attire but serious business credentials More: Luke Messer, a GOP establishment favorite, says childhood lessons taught him perseverance The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent more than $1 million on ads helping Young, as did groups with ties to Senate Majority Mitch McConnell.