The commission has hosted 18 debates for statewide elections in Indiana over the group's 10-year history. Rokita is the first candidate to skip one of the commission's debates.

Apart from the traded attacks, the 90 minute exchange, sponsored by conservative group Americans for Prosperity-Indiana, was heavy on policy.

The GOP primary's tone has been described as nasty and rancorous. Political analyst Laura Merrifield Wilson says that's unlikely to change in the debate.

Congressman Luke Messer emerged the victor Saturday of a straw poll of Republican U.S. Senate candidates.

The Republican race to decide the challenger to Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly will be Indiana's top primary race.

Braun says he looks forward to serving Hoosiers in a different capacity as he steps down from his House seat.