INDIANAPOLIS – The rapidly overheating pre-primary fight between Congressmen Messer and Rokita is threatening to spin out of control, with some Republican operatives looking once again for a Plan C. The “contempt” between the two congressmen is evident as they both search for the upper hand in the press, Politico writes:

GOP Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita are very similar members of Congress, and that similarity is breeding contempt. Neither has officially declared a Senate campaign, but the two have already begun attacking each other. Messer has assembled an impressive fundraising apparatus highlighted by Greg Pence, the vice president’s brother. But Rokita has already won statewide, having served two terms as secretary of state.

All of the drama is beginning to scare Republican operatives, some of whom have started searching for other candidates—an opinion shared by additional members of the five elected officeholders who are potential candidates in the race. That includes State Senator Mike Delph, who said last week that neither one of the two Congressmen “is beating Joe Donnelly” and that being a sitting Member of Congress isn’t an advantage this cycle.

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