Jobs, health care top voter concerns for November election - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Fourth of July means cookouts and fireworks to most Americans, but the candidates for Indiana's open US Senate weren't missing a beat on the holiday.

The issue of health care reform may have become the top issue in Decision 2012, perhaps even eclipsing the economy as the top concern of voters. It affects the US Senate race, as well as the race for the White House.

This November, Democrat Joe Donnelly will face Republican Richard Mourdock in the election to decide who will replace Sen. Richard Lugar in Washington.

In Bloomington, Donnelly and Obama supporters were out celebrating the holiday.

For Donnelly, the issue is still jobs despite the vote of the US Supreme Court that's reigniting the health care debate.

"The election is about jobs. It's about every Hoosier mom and dad who come home knowing they have a job and that their job is solid and going to be there," he said.

For Amber Brown, the big picture for her family is health care.

"I think that will help us in the long run because people get sick and they can't be taken care of and that costs everyone more as well, so it's kind of the same difference. It's better to take care of people than to let them be sick," she said.

While Donnelly campaigned to a somewhat partisan crowd in Bloomington, Republicans did get loud applause as well and even if Richard Mourdock wasn't there, he still had support in the front row.

"It's not a hard decision because we like the conservative view he's got," said Mindy Birch.

Richard Mourdock couldn't hear that because he was in Lebanon. When asked if the election was about jobs or health care, he responded, "I think it is impossible to separate the two. Obamacare is a job killing bill. It is a tax. It hurts small business people and it's all about jobs so I think it is hard to separate the two."

Mourdock certainly had his supporters along the trail in Boone County.

"I think we need new blood in Washington and he is going to bring it," said Brian Bartlett.

"Mourdock," said Cathy Riner, when asked who her choice would be for November, because "he's a Republican."

Just as in Bloomington, not everyone was singing Kumbaya in Lebanon either. Some people wanted nothing to do with what Mourdock had to offer - a sign that neither side will be able to take anything or anyone for granted in this election.