Indiana’s senior senator, Richard Lugar (R-IN), plans to seek a re-election in 2012.
Lugar spokesman Mark Helmke said Tuesday that Lugar plans to run a vigorous campaign and is committed to winning a seventh term representing Indiana in the Senate.
That effort has already begun. Lugar plans to return to Indiana on Friday for a major fundraiser in Carmel, outside of Indianapolis. Helmke says the six-term senator has already raised more than $320,000.
Lugar has carved out a bipartisan reputation during his years in Washington, working with Democrats including then-Senator Barack Obama on a variety of issues, particularly foreign policy initiatives. That could make him vulnerable to a potential challenge from a Tea Party challenger on the right.
Lugar sought the Republican nomination for President in 1996 and most recently has served as the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
