Politics

With four days until the general election a new independent poll shows Democrat Joe Donnelly with a double-digit lead over Republican Richard Mourdock in the Indiana Senate race.

The survey conducted by Howey Politics Indiana and DePauw University has Donnelly up by 11 points, which is a significant jump from the 2-point lead that the Democratic congressman held in the same poll two months ago.

Observers point to Mourdock's controversial comments on rape pregnancies as the culprit for his plummeting polls numbers.

A Jefferson County Circuit judge is expected to rule Friday on whether Republican state Senate candidate Chris Thieneman will be on the ballot next Tuesday.

Thieneman is challenging Democratic incumbent Perry Clark in a tight race that could give the GOP a larger majority in the chamber. Thus far, Thieneman has raised over $172,00 compared to $85,000 from Clark and observers are paying close attention.

Last week, a Democratic activist Robert Walker filed a lawsuit against Thieneman that questioned his residency in the 37th state Senate District in south Louisville.

Kentucky Senate Republicans have appointed President Pro Temp Katie Stine as the new legislative co-chair for their chamber as David Williams prepares to depart as Senate president.

The GOP cannot name a new president until lawmakers convene again in January, but current Stine will assume the duties and serve as temporary co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission.

The Republican state senator who is likely to become the next president of the Kentucky Senate says he will be a more inclusive leader should his colleagues make him the successor to David Williams.

State Sen. Robert Stivers, of Manchester, is seeking the post, and the GOP is meeting Thursday to select a new leader.

Many Democrats have been critical of Williams, calling him mean-spirited and vindictive. Stivers declined to comment on that, but says he'll always be willing to talk to lawmakers who disagree with him.