John Zody: Why We Challenged Todd Young’s Candidacy

By now, you have likely seen the news on the Indiana Democratic Party’s challenge to Congressman Todd Young’s eligibility to be a candidate for the U.S. Senate in the May 3 primary.

This challenge was simple and always based off of this fact – Todd Young failed to meet the minimum standards required by Indiana law to be a candidate for this office. These laws were created and passed by the Republican Party itself.

These are the rules, and Todd Young did not follow them.

I may be the chairman of a political party, but what goes beyond politics is the core principle of using facts to follow the rule of law.

The fact is – Todd Young didn’t follow the election laws created by the state of Indiana.

Todd Young argued, and the two Republican members of the Indiana Election Commission accepted, that signatures that were not certified by the local election officials should count toward the state law requirement to produce 500 certified signatures per Congressional District.

This was an unprecedented decision only made an issue because of Young’s missteps and carelessness.

Actions speak louder than words. By not following the rules, Todd Young has shown through his actions that he believes he’s above the law and he’s willing to slide by because his own Party let him off the hook.

Congressman Young called our challenge a “political stunt” – but no attempt to bypass the rules can distract from reality.

It was Young’s response that was the true “stunt.” Not only did his campaign refuse to accept any responsibility for not meeting the minimum standards that a dozen other candidates met with little issue, but his representatives simply just said “stuff happens”.

Is that the kind of U.S. Senator Hoosiers want representing them? Someone who’s not willing to do the bare minimum and just let “stuff” happen? I don’t think so.

So, it’s that simple. The Indiana Democratic Party chose to challenge the signatures – because we believe every candidate should follow the rule of law.

Todd Young fell short and therefore, did not meet the requirement to be a true candidate for U.S. Senate.