Judge rules for John Rust in lawsuit to get on U.S. Senate GOP primary ballot

A Marion County judge ruled that southern Indiana egg farmer John Rust can appear on the U.S. Senate Republican primary ballot if he meets the state's signature requirement for ballot access. (Photo from Rust’s Twitter/X account)

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) might have an opponent on the ballot for next year’s U.S. Senate primary after all.

A judge ruled in favor of southern Indiana egg farmer John Rust Thursday, in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ballot access law.

There are two ways an Indiana candidate can run in a Republican or Democratic primary. They must have voted in that party’s primary in the last two primary elections in which they cast a ballot — that’s up from one primary, a change made in 2021 — or, they have to get the permission of the county party leader where they live.

John Rust doesn’t meet those requirements. He voted in the 2016 GOP primary, but cast Democratic ballots more than 10 years ago. And his local party leader refuses to allow him access.