Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Ballot Block for Senate Hopeful John Rust

Indiana’s highest court has delivered its final verdict on John Rust’s political fate, refusing him a second chance to appear on the Republican primary ballot for the U.S. Senate. Rust’s unsuccessful bid to challenge Congressman Jim Banks came to a standstill as the Indiana Supreme Court upheld earlier rulings that he did not satisfy the state’s eligibility requirements. Indiana law mandates a candidate’s loyalty to their party in recent elections, specifically requiring alignment in the two most recent primaries.

Rust’s political participation records showed a divergence from this rule, casting a Republican vote in 2016 but a Democratic vote in 2012. This inconsistency became the crux of his disqualification. Despite Rust’s efforts to dispute these grounds, citing a lower court’s opinion that deemed the two-primary law unconstitutional, both the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Election Commission stood firm on their stance.

The denial of Rust’s request for a rehearing solidifies the Election Commission’s earlier decision, effectively sidelining his Senate aspirations. As Indiana voters have already started casting ballots for the May primary, with printing completed, the timing further complicates any potential for Rust to contest the decision. His last resort lies with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, an option that remains uncertain both in its pursuit and potential for success.