U.S. Representative Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana's 2nd congressional district, was unopposed in his party's primary, and then defeated both Mourdock and Libertarian Andrew Horning in the general election.

[a][2] On November 7, 2006, incumbent Richard Lugar was unopposed by any major party candidate as no Democrat filed for the May 2006 primary.

The article mentioned how Donnelly was lucky that Mourdock won out in the primary against Lugar, a well-liked centrist member of the GOP.

Due to Lugar's unpopularity among some Tea Party voters because of his positions regarding illegal immigration, voting to confirm then-U.S. Supreme Court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, the DREAM Act, the New START Treaty, some gun control bills, and congressional earmarks, he was challenged by a Tea Party-backed candidate.

[15][16] According to Indiana law, Lugar's defeat meant that he would not be permitted to run in the election either as a third party or an independent candidate after he lost the primary.

Confirmed debates with Donnelly, Horning and Mourdock are:[56] Date: Monday, October 15 Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT City: Indianapolis Venue: WFYI-TV (in studio/no live audience) Date: Tuesday, October 23 Broadcast time: 7 p.m. EDT City: New Albany Venue: Paul W. Ogle Cultural & Community Center, Indiana University Southeast (live audience – seating up to 500) Mourdock became embroiled in a controversy after stating that pregnancy from rape is "something that God intended".

His remarks were made during a debate on October 23, 2012, while explaining his opposition to abortion even in the case of rape.

At the debate Mourdock, when asked what his position on abortion was, responded: I know there are some who disagree and I respect their point of view but I believe that life begins at conception.

[66] A day before the controversy started, a television ad began airing that showed Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for United States President, supporting Mourdock.

Senator John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said "Richard and I, along with millions of Americans—including even Joe Donnelly—believe that life is a gift from God.