Race for Indiana's open US Senate seat gains national attention - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

There are only a handful of close races when it comes to the United States Senate, and one of them is in Indiana.

Republican Richard Mourdock and Democrat Joe Donnelly are in a tie and the race is garnering national attention. Neither candidate may ask for help from the presidential nominees.

Air Force One has touched down in Indiana at least five times since Barack Obama became president. At least once, Indiana Congressman Joe Donnelly enjoyed that ride, but his campaign told Eyewitness News Friday that it has not asked the president to make a return trip to help him in his US Senate race against Republican Richard Mourdock.

Mourdock has tried to saddle the Donnelly campaign with the president's political baggage, and the nickname "Obama Joe" has surfaced in pro-Mourdock ads.

Indy Star columnist Matt Tully calls it "one of the most competitive races. There's a lot of people in the middle, soft moderates or soft Republicans who are nervous about Richard Mourdock and are not sold on him which makes this a very competitive race."

The Donnelly campaign has pounded Mourdock on issues like Social Security and Medicare. Mourdock has tried to battle back, calling the charges "lies and distortions."

But make no mistake about it. Indiana voters know what could be at stake.

"It will have an impact on the control of the United States Senate. It is important in proposing legislation. If you don't have two-thirds of the Senate you can block any bill that comes through from the House," said Anthony Meeks, a voter.

That could make this race the most important Senate race in the country.

Decision 2012 Election Guide