Since then, the state has been represented in the United States Senate by 45 different men in class 1 and 3; David Turpie served non-consecutive terms in class 1, Dan Coats served non-consecutive terms in class 3, and William E. Jenner served in both classes.
Until the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1913, senators were elected by the Indiana General Assembly; after that, they were elected popularly by Indiana citizens.
A senatorial term lasts six years, beginning on January 3.
In case of a vacancy, the governor of Indiana has the duty to appoint a new U.S. senator.
Richard Lugar was the state's longest serving senator (1977–2013).