VANDERBURGH CO., IN (WFIE) -
Richard Lugar's 36 year run in the U.S. Senate is over.
Vanderburgh County native Richard Mourdock won the Republican Primary Tuesday night and will face Democrat Joe Donnelly in the November election.
There was quite the celebration Tuesday after residents found out one of their own from Vanderburgh County, could be going to Washington.
What started out as an early morning in Vanderburgh County for Richard Mourdock, ended in an ad-libed victory speech in front of hundreds of supporters.
"I have a feeling you guys are looking to party tonight," said Mourdock.
The Vanderburgh County native and current State Treasurer did what he said many thought was the impossible, unseat the longest serving Senate Republican, Richard Lugar.
"I congratulate Richard Mourdock on his victory in a hard fought race," said Lugar.
After serving 35 years, Senator Lugar was in the fight for his political life. But in the end, Mourdock told his supporters that it all came down to who was the most conservative candidate.
"Hoosier Republicans want to see the Republicans inside the United States Senate taking a more conservative track," said Mourdock.
"I think the mood of the country is to switch back into conservative mode," said Vanderburgh County Republican Chair Wayne Park.
Park says Mourdock's win is a clear signal that voters want change.
"When you have somebody such as Sen. Lugar who has been in there as long, everybody has the highest respect for him and wish him well, but also I really believe that it was time for a change, so we're excited about Richard Mourdock taking that, really excited," said Park.
Sen. Lugar says he has no regrets about running for re-election and that his service to the state is not over.
"Serving the people of Indiana in the United States Senate has been the greatest honor of my political life," said Lugar.
Mourdock will now face Democrat Joe Donnelly in the November election.
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