Republican Todd Young officially enters Senate race

U.S. Rep. Todd Young of Indiana announced officially Sunday that he will run for U.S. Senate – crowding the GOP primary field that already includes U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman and Eric Holcomb.

The move means Young won’t be seeking reelection to his 9th District seat in the U.S. House. The announcement comes less than a week after his campaign revealed he’d raised more than $1 million in the second quarter of the year, a number his staff said is a record for congressional candidates in Indiana. He starts the campaign with more than $2 million in the bank.

Stutzman, who represents the state’s 3rd District, raised $600,000 during the same period. And Holcomb, a former state Republican, chairman raised about $200,o00.

Young made the announcement through a video he texted to supporters.

“Everything in my life, I owe to God, my family, the Naval Academy, and the Marine Corps,” Young said in the video. “The best way I can think of to give back is to ensure that every Hoosier family enjoys a better future. That’s why I’m running for U.S. Senate.”

Democrats said in a written statement Sunday that Young is another Republican candidate who is “out of touch” with Hoosiers.

“Rep. Todd Young has time and again placed his ideology and loyalty to congressional leadership ahead of responsible governing for the middle class Hoosier family,” Indiana Democratic Chairman John Zody said in a statement. “Democrats look forward to having this debate as we know Hoosiers want someone who would unite the state and help improve and include the lives of all everyday families in Indiana.”

Former congressman Baron Hill is running on the Democratic side. The candidates are vying for the seat opened by retiring Sen. Dan Coats, R-Indiana. Holcomb is a former Coats’ aid.