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Richard Mourdock

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Richard Mourdock
Treasurer of Indiana
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 10, 2007
GovernorMitch Daniels
Preceded byTim Berry
Personal details
Born
Richard Earl Mourdock

(1951-10-08) October 8, 1951 (age 73)
Wauseon, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarilyn Mourdock
Alma materDefiance College
Ball State University
WebsiteCampaign website

Richard Earl Mourdock (born October 8, 1951) is the 53rd State Treasurer of Indiana and the Republican nominee for United States Senate election in Indiana, 2012. He began his term as treasurer on February 10, 2007 and was re-elected in November 2010. Mourdock became the Republican nominee for a United States Senate seat from Indiana in the 2012 election after he defeated incumbent Senator Richard Lugar in the primary election. Mourdock will face current Representative from Indiana's 2nd congressional district Joe Donnelly in the general election.[1]

Early life, education, and business career

Richard Earl Mourdock[2] was born on October 8, 1951[3] in Wauseon, Ohio.[2] His father, David Mourdock, worked as an Ohio Highway Patrol trooper. Mourdock graduated from Wynford High School in 1969.[4] He graduated from Defiance College in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Systems and from Ball State University in 1975 with a Master of Arts degree in Geology.[5] Afterwards, Mourdock took a position as a field geologist with AMAX Coal Company and was ultimately promoted to Surface Mine Geology Project Coordinator until his departure from the company in 1979.[6]

From 1979 to 1984, Mourdock was employed by Standard Oil of Ohio as a Senior Geologist and ultimately became Chief Geologist for the company. In 1984, Mourdock accepted a position with Koester Companies in Evansville, Indiana. For sixteen years, Mourdock served as Vice President of the company's coal subsidiary and eventually became Vice President of Business Development for the parent company. In addition, Mourdock served as a Trustee for the company's employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). In 2000, Mourdock founded a successful environmental consulting business and provided various services to numerous clients until being elected as Indiana's State Treasurer in 2006.

He is a pilot and an avid runner who has completed several marathons. He was a Christian missionary in Bolivia, rides motorcycles, and is a history enthusiast.[7]

Early political career (1988-2002)

Congressional elections

Mourdock ran for the congressional seat of Indiana's 8th congressional district in 1988, 1990, and 1992. In 1988 he was defeated in the Republican primary. In 1990 and 1992 he won the Republican nomination but was defeated by Democrat Frank McCloskey in the general election, 55–45% and 53-45%, respectively.[8][9]

County politics

From 1995 to 2002, Mourdock was elected to Vanderburgh County's Board of Commissioners. Vanderburgh County's population is approximately 180,000, and is the seventh largest county in the State of Indiana. At various times as a County Commissioner, Mourdock was President of the County Commission, the Vanderburgh County Drainage Board, and the Vanderburgh County Zoning Board.

2002 Secretary of State election

In 2002, Mourdock sought the Republican nomination for Indiana Secretary of State -- a position chosen at the party's convention. At the end of the first round of balloting, Mourdock led his opponents in delegates, garnering 720 to Todd Rokita's 670. Rokita ultimately surpassed Mourdock and won on the third ballot, 847 to 753.

State Treasurer (2007-Present)

2006 election

In 2006, he won the statewide election for Indiana Treasurer, defeating Michael W. Griffin, 52%-48%. He won most of the counties in the northern portion of the state.[10]

First term

Mourdock took office as Indiana State Treasurer in February 2007. As Treasurer, Mourdock filed suit unsuccessfully in 2009 against the Obama Administration for the bailout of the U.S. automotive industry, contending that Chrysler's creditors, including three Indiana state funds, did not get a sufficient return on their investments.[11]

2010 re-election

He was re-elected in November 2010 against naval officer Pete Buttigieg, 62%-38%, receiving more than 1,000,000 votes.[12]

Second term

During his second term as state treasurer, it was discovered that $526 million dollars in tax revenues were placed in the wrong bank accounts. When the first discovered, less than half that amount was found, the balance being found at a later date. Auditors are still looking into the state finances to see if additional monies were mishandled. With over half a billion dollars floundering in the wrong bank accounts, local governments throughout the state, who should have received these funds, were forced to cut back on services, including laying off personnel. [13][14]

2012 U.S. Senate election

Main article: United States Senate election in Indiana, 2012

On February 22, 2011,[15] Mourdock announced he would challenge incumbent Richard Lugar in the Republican primary for the 2012 Indiana U.S Senate election. At the announcement Mourdock stated, “Hoosiers want more than a globe-trotting Senator, they want a Senator who routinely holds town hall meetings not to talk but to listen. They want a Senator who will walk the parade routes, visit the county fairs and festivals, and who will eat pork tenderloin and an ear of corn. They told me over and over again that they want a Senator who comes back home." [16] Additionally, Mourdock released a list of 12 Republican State Central Committee members and 67 GOP County Chairs who publicly endorsed him.[17]

Mourdock has been endorsed by several conservative interest groups, including the Americans for prosperity, Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, Citizens United and the Tea Party Express.[18][19].

On May 8, 2012, Mourdock defeated Lugar in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, capturing just over 60% of the vote.[20][21] He will face Democratic nominee Joe Donnelly and Libertarian nominee Andy Horning in the general election.

Tea Party support

Mourdock has spoken at over two dozen local Tea Party gatherings across Indiana where he gained much name recognition and support in his primary contest against Richard Lugar. In 2011 at a Tea Party Convention in Greenfield, Indiana, where Mourdock spoke, a straw poll of local Tea Party members was taken where Mourdock received 96 of the 97 over Richard Lugar. [22]

In the week before the contested primary political action groups such as FreedomWorks, the NRA, National Right to Life, along with 45 local Tea Party groups got together at Veterans Memorial Plaza in downtown Indianapolis in what they called "a final 72-hour get out the vote rally " to "Retire Lugar". [23] Over 500 Tea party members along with Reverend C.L. Bryant, Deneen Borelli, and FOX News political commentator Michelle Malkin attended the Mourdock rally. [24] At the rally Mourdock said "the support of groups like FreedomWorks has been incredible. They have been from the very beginning helping us, going door to door, they’ve just been critical to all this." Mourdock also said "There are so many people who wanted to issue the obituary on the Tea Party movement. And I'll tell you what, the reports of the death have been greatly exaggerated. Because they're not out waving the banners and standing under the 'Don't Tread On Me' flags now. But what they're doing is showing up to work for campaigns." [25] In an interview with FreedomWorks Mourdock said that he has been inspired by the people of the Tea Party movement who have put their hearts and souls in putting this country back on track. [26]

The Liberty News Network, and America ReFocused are among Tea Party backed organizations supporting Mourdock, the groups have campaigned door to door, sent out mailers and sponsored TV and Radio ads. [27] Other Tea Party supported groups have played a major role in supporting Mourdock's campaign finances. Mourdock's largest contributor was the Club for Growth who accounted for 40% of all outside spending, contibuting $2.2 million to Mourdock. [28] According to campaign finance records some of Mourdocks other top donors are the NRA, who contributed $491,000, FreedomWorks For America; $437,000, Citizens United Political Victory Fund; $96,300, and FreedomWorks For America; $437,184. [29]

Political positions

Social Security/Medicare

Mourdock has drawn criticism for his stance on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and for questioning the constitutionality of the programs, saying to a group of supporters: “I challenge you in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution where those so-called Enumerated powers are listed. I challenge you to find words that talk about Medicare or Medicaid or, yes, even Social Security. You know, Article I, Section 8 says the U.S. government shall have the power to tax to pay off its debts, to pay for its defense, and then it says to provide for the general welfare.” [30] [31] [32]

On his website Mourdock said that he supports The Ryan Plan, and doesn't support cutting benefits for current Medicare beneficiaries, but supports a new program which replaces the current system with a Voucher program and would increase the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67. [33] [34] Mourdock has also questioned the Ryan Plan saying that "Ryan’s overall budget proposal might not go far enough, fast enough." Proposing to shrink spending by $7.6 trillion in 10 years, (as opposed to Ryan's budget which would cut $5.5 Trillion). [35] [36] Mourdock also believes that the reform of Social Security should include younger workers investing in IRA's and other personalized retirement accounts and they should begin early planning for their own retirements. [37] In a debate Mourdock stated: "Social Security should not be a system that retirees rely on entirely for their incomes. Workers must set up their own savings and retirement systems." [38] In the same debate Mourdock also said that he "believes that the retirement age is going to be raised" and that "it's a necessity that we do so." [39]

Abortion

Mourdock opposes legal abortion. He has been endorsed by Indiana Right to life[40] As a candidate for Congress in 1992, Mourdock stated that he would support legal abortion in the case of some "crisis pregnancies."[41]

During the 2012 Indiana Republican Senate race, Mourdock reiterated his position that life begins at conception, adding "The only exception I have to have an abortion is in that case of the life of the mother. I just struggled with it myself for a long time but I came to realize: Life is that gift from God that I think even if life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen."[42][43] Earlier in the year, another Tea Party backed candidate, Rick Santorum, also came out as believing that children conceived during rape are also gifts from God.[44]

Federal spending

Mourdock has called for cuts in federal spending and for a balanced budget.[45] Mourdock said he would not have supported the Troubled Assets Relief Program[11] and opposed the bailout of GM and Chrysler which included measures causing losses to secured bondholders in retirement funds he managed as treasurer.[46] He would abolish earmarks.[47]

Immigration

Mourdock opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and opposes the DREAM Act.[11][45]

Term limits

Mourdock has said he would limit himself to two terms if elected.[47]

Bipartisanship

The day after Mourdock won the Republican primary, Mourdock drew scrutiny on the issue of bipartisanship stating in an interview on FOX & Friends that; "I certainly think bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view. If we win the House, Senate, and White House, bipartisanship means they have to come our way, and if we’re successful in getting the numbers, we’ll work towards that." [48] When asked about Richard Mourdock's partisanship and on Mourdouck saying that "bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view" during an interview at the 2012 Fiscal Summit, 2012 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan disagreed with Mourdock, saying that, "I obviously don't agree with that." [49] [50]

In February, 2012 during a CPAC speech Mourdock said that "For all the cries for bipartisanship, it is bipartisanship that has taken us to the brink of bankruptcy. We don't need bipartisanship as much we need as the application of principle. The time for being collegial is past, we need confrontation." [51] [52] Mourdock has been critical of Richard Lugar's record on bipartisanship. Criticizing the 1991 Nunn-Lugar Act, and the 2006 version expanding the original Nunn-Lugar legislation to cover conventional weapons stockpiles and secure loose nukes. Saying that "Lugar is President Obama's favorite Republican." [53] Referring to an MSNBC article before Obama won the presidency titled; "Barack Obama's favorite Republican?". In the article it reported on a 10-day trip Lugar and Obama took to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan to inspect nuclear, and biological weapons sites. [54] Also in the article it stated that Lugar is a "loyal Republican" and that he "endorsed John McCain, voted for him in the Indiana primary and will vote for him in the general election" Lugar said that "He's not looking for a seat at the table of a possible Obama administration." [55]

Electoral history

United States Representative- Indiana's 8th District, 1990[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank McCloskey (Incumbent) 97,465 54.7
Republican Richard Mourdock 80,645 45.3
United States Representative- Indiana's 8th District, 1992[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank McCloskey (Incumbent) 125,244 53.0
Republican Richard Mourdock 108,054 45.7
Treasurer of State (Indiana), 2006[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Mourdock 833,531 51.9
Democratic Michael Griffin 771,610 48.0
Treasurer of State (Indiana), 2010[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Mourdock (Incumbent) 1,053,527 62.4
Democratic Pete Buttigieg 633,243 37.5
U.S. Senate Republican primary, 2012[59][60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Mourdock 403,268 60.6
Republican Richard Lugar (Incumbent) 262,388 39.4

References

  1. ^ Mourdock to face Joe Donnelly in November election; Washington Post
  2. ^ a b "Elections 2012 - AP Election Guide". NPR. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  3. ^ Bradner, Eric (October 10, 2010). "Youth challenges experience in Ind. state treasurer race". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved May 8, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Conte, Henry S. (June 26, 2012). "Bucyrus native seeks seat in U.S. Senate". Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum. Retrieved July 8, 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Biography Treasurer Richard E. Mourdock". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  6. ^ Margason, Greg (May 2, 2012). "U.S. Senate: Mourdock taps into frustration with Congress, Lugar". The Statehouse File. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  7. ^ Aaron Blake Who is Richard Mourdock? 05/09/2012 Washington Post
  8. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990" (PDF). Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  9. ^ a b "STATISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 1992". OFFICE OF THE CLERK U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  10. ^ "IN Treasurer - 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c Steinhauer, Jennifer (May 8, 2012). "Many Pursuits, but Bipartisanship Isn't One of Them". New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  12. ^ "Election Results: Treasurer of State". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  13. ^ http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-little-accounting-for-526m-indiana-foulup-20120415,0,3491727.story
  14. ^ http://indiana.onpolitix.com/news/114444/gregg-calls-for-probe-for-missing-money
  15. ^ "State Treasurer Richard Mourdock officially announces Senate bid". Fox 59 Indiana. February 22, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  16. ^ "STATE TREASURER RICHARD MOURDOCK OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES HIS 2012 U.S. SENATORIAL BID". Richard Mourdock for U.S. Senate. February 22, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  17. ^ "Supporting Republican Party Officials". Richard Mourdock for U.S. Senate. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  18. ^ Bradner, Eric (February 15, 2012). "Powerful PAC gets behind Mourdock". Evansville Courier Press. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  19. ^ Livingston, Abby. "FreedomWorks Backs Richard Mourdock Over Dick Lugar". Roll Call. CQ-Roll Call. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  20. ^ Geiger, Kim (May 9, 2012). "Tea party upstart Mourdock defeats longtime Indiana Sen. Lugar". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  21. ^ Nichols, Bill (May 9, 2012). "Indiana primary results: Dick Lugar routed in Senate showdown". Politico. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  22. ^ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2016310084_apusindianasenateteaparty.htmll
  23. ^ http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/Supporters-hold-rally-for-Mourdock
  24. ^ http://www.freedomworksforamerica.org/posts/rally-for-mourdock-kicks-off-72-hour-gotv-push
  25. ^ http://www.npr.org/2012/05/05/152029952/lugar-struggles-in-race-flooded-by-outside-spending
  26. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62V56upu-2s&feature=relmfu
  27. ^ [http://www.irehr.org/issue-areas/tea-party-nationalism/tea-party-news-and-analysis/item/412-the-tea-party-impact-in-indiana
  28. ^ Club for Growth Mourdock Funding
  29. ^ top donors
  30. ^ mourdock on consitutionality of medicare medicaid social security
  31. ^ says Democrat-sponsored ad is unfair; Courier Press
  32. ^ Mourdock Constitutionality of Social Security; Politico
  33. ^ support for the ryan plan
  34. ^ Report on the Ryan Plan
  35. ^ Mourdock "Ryan proposal doesn't go far enough, fast enough"
  36. ^ Mourdock Budget Proposal
  37. ^ Mourdock on perosonalized retirement acconts
  38. ^ Richard Mourdock During Senate Debate on Social Security
  39. ^ Mourdock: "Raising the retirement age is a neessity"
  40. ^ "Anti-abortion group endorses Mourdock". March 22, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  41. ^ "Mourdock, McClosky Woo Voters". Evansville Press. August 16, 1992. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  42. ^ Raju, Manu (October 23, 2012). "Richard Mourdock under fire for rape remarks". Politico. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  43. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/richard-mourdock-abortion_n_2007482.html
  44. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2091170/Rick-Santorum-Rape-victims-gift-baby-pregnant.html
  45. ^ a b Richard Mourdock; Views The Political Guide
  46. ^ [http://www.indystar.com/article/20120422/NEWS05/204220368/Fighting-auto-bailout-turning-point-Richard-Mourdock-s-political-life Fighting the auto bailout was turning point in Richard Mourdock's political life April 22, 2012 IndyStar
  47. ^ a b Eric Bradner Mourdock campaigning on his principles April 28, 2012 Evansville Courier & Press
  48. ^ Mourdock Bipartisanship Quote
  49. ^ Paul Ryan Disagreed With Richard Mourdock's Opposition To Compromise
  50. ^ Ryan on Mourdock, (video)
  51. ^ 2
  52. ^ 3
  53. ^ Mourdock Lugar is Obama's Favorite Republican
  54. ^ Loosing Obama's Favorite Republican; New Yorker
  55. ^ Favorite Republican
  56. ^ "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 6, 1990" (PDF). OFFICE OF THE CLERK U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  57. ^ "Election Results: Treasurer of State". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  58. ^ "Election Results: Treasurer of State". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  59. ^ "Indiana - Summary Vote Results". Associated Press. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  60. ^ "Elections 2012 Senate Indiana". Politico. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
Political offices
Preceded by Treasurer of Indiana
2007–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Senator from Indiana
(Class 1)
2012 		Most recent

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