Indiana Republican Primary A Win For GOP Establishment

Jillian Bandes | May 05, 2010 8:41 AM

Former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats won the Indiana Republican primary last night over more-conservative Marlin Stutzman, who had won the hearts of movement conservatives like Mike Huckabee and Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.). Coats won 39% of the vote, Stutzman got 30% and former Rep.

John Hostettler won 22%.

Coats received the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which put him at odds with Stutzman's DeMint endorsement. But DeMint immediately threw his weight behind Coats after he won the primary. Now, Coats will face almost-certain Democratic nominee Rep. Brad Ellsworth in the November general election. They are competing to fill the seat left vacant by Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh's retirement. Coats currently enjoys a wide lead in the polls over Ellsworth.

There were also Democratic primaries in Ohio and North Carolina.