Can Democratic candidates court Republican voters?

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Some may not believe it. Others cannot wait for it to be over. Either way, News 18 will be reporting the results to this year's general election is less than a week.

In several races, Republican voters may make the difference. Contrary to what you might think, that's exactly what the Democratic candidates hope for.

For example District 13 Democratic candidate Mark Straw's campaign ad states "Mark Straw, worth splitting the ticket for." 

Or Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg asking multiple times during the Oct. 10 debate to "look beyond that party label, look beyond the rhetoric."

Democratic candidates are not just asking for independent voters, but for Republican ones too.

"I have a challenge for everybody out there in the audience, particularly those who say they are independent, and those that I call Lugar Republican," Gregg said.

"It's very unusual that you get as much overt 'split your ticket' as we've seen in several of the local races here," said Republican observer Mark Davis.

Purdue Political Science Professor Jay McCann said the strategy aims to take advantage of the division in the Republican party in the primary.  It's been on display in particular when conservative Richard Mourdock beat out the more moderate incumbent Senator Richard Lugar. 

With Indiana almost assuredly going for Republican Mitt Romney in the presidential race, "It's natural for Democrats who want to be competitive to say, 'Well, split your ticket.  Don't vote straight Republican, but take a second look at me,'" McCann said.

But will it work?

Davis was a strong supporter of Lugar in the primary.

"I'm going to vote for Mourdock because it's much more important to me that we not have Harry Reid be the director of the Senate activities," Davis said.

Davis thinks in several of the races, especially the one for governor, it's a sign the Democratic candidate is behind and is making a last ditch attempt to win the race.

"It hasn't worked very well. But in a very tight race on the other hand, if you are in a very tight race, it might make a difference," Davis added.

A tight race like the Senate one where recent polls have shown Mourdock and Joe Donnelly to be neck and neck. Donnelly has also appealed to the Lugar Republicans.

"You (Mourdock) sent out a letter about Senator Lugar where you said he betrayed conservatives and the word betrayed, you can disagree, but betrayed," he asked during a debate Oct. 15.

"The way Donnelly has pitched himself in that particular race, and Mourdock, given events of the last week, has really polarized things," McCann said.

McCann added it's tough to know how effective the strategy is right now. But exit polling of voters may provide an answer later on.

"The proof will be in the pudding, we'll see in a week," he said.

Gregg opponents in the governor's race are Republican Mike Pence and Libertarian Rupert Boneham.

Straw faces Republican Sharon Negele in the District 13 race.