VIDEO: Indiana U.S. Senate Candidates Clash Over Kavanaugh In First Debate

Joe Donnelly, Mike Braun, and Lucy Brenton debated at Purdue University Northwest on Monday.

(Westville, Ind.) - Indiana Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly says he is a supporter of President Donald Trump.

That was his message during the first Indiana U.S. Senate debate held Monday night at Purdue University Northwest in Westville. Because of the race’s implications for the party in power in the U.S. Senate, it has garnered much attention nationally.

Unlike many Democratic campaigns across the U.S., Donnelly touted his support for Trump’s priorities and going against his own party all the time. But, he defended his vote against confirmation of President Trump’s U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

“I voted against Judge Kavanaugh because of concerns about his impartiality and concerns about his judicial temperament,” Donnelly said during the hour-long debate, adding that he supported Trump’s first court pick, Neil Gorsuch.

Donnelly’s Republican challenger, businessman Mike Braun, countered.

“The Democrats, including Joe Donnelly, will do or say anything when it comes to their political interests. It is a bloodsport, and as long as it is like that, your going to have decisions made based not on what Hoosiers want, but what Chuck Schumer wants,” Braun said.

Indiana U.S. Senate candidates (left the right) Lucy Brenton, Joe Donnelly, and Mike Braun. Photo by Darron Cummings, Pool.

A cartoon cameo made an appearance in the debate when Donnelly said Braun would have confirmed Bugs Bunny if Trump nominated him.

“Joe’s been there for 12 years in Congress and the Senate. Considered the least-effective Democratic senator because he never sticks his neck out. He blows with the wind. And, in this case, he made the wrong decision on Judge Kavanaugh,” said Braun.

Braun touted his history as a job creator - he owns a national automotive parts company with employs more than 850 people. He also claimed he is a “political outsider,” despite previously being elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 2014 through 2017.

Libertarian candidate Lucy Brenton, an Indianapolis business consultant, was also on the debate stage in Westville, sharing her political philosophy.

“Allow people the maximum freedom with really just two things in mind: don’t hurt people; don’t take their stuff. Other than that, you’re good with me,” said Brenton, who previously ran for Senate in 2016.

Brenton said she would have voted against Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation because he co-authored the Patriot Act. “He is no friend of the Fourth and Fifth Amendment.”

The three Senate hopefuls also clashed on healthcare, gun control, and the economy.

The Senate candidates will debate once more on Tuesday, October 30 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.