Rust. Courtesy - Rust's X account.
INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Senate candidate John Rust gave big to his own campaign during the third quarter, which he says is a sign that he won’t be propped up by political action committees.
Rust, an openly gay Hoosier running as a Republican, has contributed $1.6 million since he officially launched his campaign in September, according to his Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing. He chaired his family’s Seymour-based Rose Acre Farms until last month.
He raised only $6,000 in contributions from others.
“I’m donating to my campaign rather than loaning to my campaign because I want to work in the United States Senate day one for Hoosiers,” Rust told the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Monday. “I won’t be going there to just work to pay off my campaign debts. It is very important to me that people know I’m in for this race 100% for Hoosiers. And will not be beholden to the Washington swamp like Jim Banks is.”
Although GOP favorite U.S. Rep. Jim Banks was out-collected on overall fundraising in the third quarter, he continues to amass more individual contributions than Rust and other contenders for Indiana’s open Senate seat in the November election. Between July and September, Banks received $417,419 from outside donors and $185,850 from political committees, like PACs.
Since campaigning began, Banks has also raked in more total donations than any other candidate. He has not made any personal contributions to his own campaign, according to federal campaign finance data.
Four Hoosiers – two Republicans and two Democrats – have launched the most serious bids for the U.S. Senate, with each hoping to take Indiana’s seat currently held by Sen. Mike Braun. Braun is leaving the position to run for Indiana governor, opening the doors to a slate of potential successors.
But Banks is the party’s favored contender in the race.
The sitting congressman has already earned an endorsement from the Indiana Republican Party for his 2024 U.S. Senate bid, marking the first time in recent history that the state party has made an endorsement before primary elections for an open seat.
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