"I have no regrets about running for re-election. Even if doing so can be a very daunting task," the 80-year-old Lugar said as he conceded to state Treasurer Richard Mourdock.
Lugar lost to tea-party backed state Treasurer Mourdock, who will face Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly in the November general election. Republicans need to gain four seats to take control of the U.S. Senate, and a Lugar loss "gives Democrats a pickup opportunity," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
Lugar ruled out running as an independent.
"This is it," he said with voting still under way.
Playing out in a conservative state, the race illustrated the electorate's animosity toward many incumbents and anyone with deep ties to Washington. That was clear when Lugar, who hasn't faced questions about his residency in decades, found himself on the defensive over whether he lived in Indiana or northern Virginia. Lugar also was cast as too moderate for the conservative GOP in Indiana, and he took heat for his work with Democrats on issues such as nuclear nonproliferation, underscoring deep polarization in the country as well as a split in the GOP between the establishment wing and the insurgent tea party.
In a statement, Obama praised his former Senate colleague as someone "who was often willing to reach across the aisle and get things done."
On Capitol Hill, Republicans braced for Lugar's loss throughout the day.
"It says if you're an incumbent, you better not lose touch with home," said South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/5/248372