A Republican candidate seeking nomination for Indiana’s 2024 U.S. Senate seat has initiated a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that may hinder his candidacy. John Rust, chairman of Rose Acre Farms in Seymour, filed the lawsuit against Secretary of State Diego Morales, the Indiana Election Commission, and Jackson County Republican Party Chair Amanda Lowery.
Rust’s lawsuit contends that the state law in question, which requires candidates to have cast their votes in the past two primary elections within their affiliated party or gain approval from a county party chair, should be deemed unconstitutional due to its vague and overly broad nature. Rust hopes this legal challenge will provide greater flexibility for Indiana residents to run for office without being bound by political party affiliation requirements set by Indiana law.
Rust’s voting history includes participation in both Democratic and Republican primaries. He emphasizes that although he voted in Democratic primaries, he has consistently aligned with conservative Republican values and supported Republican candidates in general elections. Nevertheless, during a meeting with Rust in July, Amanda Lowery expressed concerns about his past Democratic primary votes and indicated that she would not certify his candidacy.
The legal action comes as Rust faces a competitive battle within the GOP for the U.S. Senate nomination against U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, who has received the endorsement of the Indiana Republican Party. Banks criticized Rust’s prior Democratic voting record and accused him of attempting to buy a U.S. Senate seat.