‘Primary That Matters’ Here to Stay?
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowDonald Trump and Bernie Sanders are celebrating big wins in Tuesday’s presidential primary. Although Indiana had gone decades without a primary with national significance, a political observer doesn’t believe Hoosiers will have to wait that long for another. University of Indianapolis assistant professor of political science Laura Albright says the American electorate is becoming more polarized, which will likely lead to more hotly-contested elections and later primaries becoming more important.
Albright says the higher voter turnout that comes with a presidential primary "that matters" also has a down-ballot effect. She says voters may find themselves picking candidates in Congressional or local elections based on which candidates line up with their preferred presidential selection.
In other big races Tuesday, U.S. Representative Todd Young (R-5) defeated Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-3) for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dan Coats. Also, Trey Hollingsworth won the Republican nomination for 9th District representative. He defeated candidates including State Senators Erin Houchin and Brent Waltz and outgoing Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
Indiana was the center of the political nation recently, with multiple stops throughout the state from Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.