Peter Hanscom will lead Donnelly’s campaign as his campaign manager. Despite Hanscom’s relatively young age, it’s not his first time at the rodeo. He’s served in leadership roles with the Indiana Democratic Party, Freedom Indiana and Indiana Competes.

In 2012, Donnelly moved over from the U.S. House to the Senate by defeating then-Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Donnelly ran the perfect campaign, and, while the campaign was trending his way, Mourdock’s now infamous comments on rape shocked Hoosiers. 

Consistently, Donnelly ranks as one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, and his record on women’s issues tends to annoy more liberal Democrats. When he was elected to the Senate, Donnelly was against same-sex marriage, but he has since evolved on the issue. His vote for the Affordable Care Act as well will no doubt be used against him.

It will be harder to connect Donnelly to some of the same nefarious things that Evan Bayh was connected to in Todd Young’s successful campaign against the former Senator from this past fall. Donnelly is ethically as clean as a whistle, and no one can dispute how hard he has worked for his constituents in the State of Indiana. Donnelly has constantly been at the forefront of everything from VA reform to solving the crime issue in Indianapolis. Donnelly’s also been going across the state and doing a myriad of different jobs to put himself in the perspective of everyday Hoosiers.

Much will depend on who ends up challenging the Senator. You can bet it will likely be one of the current sitting GOP U.S. Representatives trying to take back the seat for Republicans.

I would assume this will be a close race all the way through.