Richard Mourdock

Richard Earl Mourdock (born October 8, 1951) is an American politician who served as treasurer of the state of Indiana from 2007 to 2014. Running with the support of the Tea Party movement, he defeated six-term incumbent U.S. Senator Richard Lugar in the May 2012 Republican primary election for U.S. Senate. He lost the November 6, 2012, general election for Lugar's seat to Democratic congressman Joe Donnelly.

Early life, family and education Mourdock was born in Wauseon, Ohio, He was raised in Bucyrus, Ohio.

2012 U.S. Senate election

On February 22, 2011, Mourdock announced he would challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Richard Lugar in the 2012 Republican primary.

Political positions Social Security and Medicare Mourdock has questioned the constitutionality of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, 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."

Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, immediately attacked Mourdock, saying that, "I'm stunned and ashamed that Richard Mourdock believes God intended rape", and that he is an "extremist" who is out of touch with Indiana. Speculation that Mourdock's remark could affect the outcome of the Senate race

Federal spending Mourdock called for cuts in federal spending and for a balanced budget.