Democrat Keith Potts drops out of U.S. Senate race

Democrat Keith Potts on Monday announced he has ended his bid for U.S. Senate to pursue “new professional opportunities.” Candidates of numerous parties are competing to fill a seat left open by U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s planned departure in favor of a gubernatorial run.

Potts, an Indianapolis city-county councilor, launched his campaign in July. At the time, he said he’d focus on middle-class jobs, affordable health care and the upward mobility of the American Dream.

“As my service on the City-County Council comes to an end, I’m looking forward to embarking on new professional opportunities in the year ahead. While this means I won’t be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2024, my commitment to serving the people of Indiana continues,” Potts said in a statement.

In November, Potts posted warning of a January signature collection deadline required to get on the ballot.

Potts has worked in the music and arts industry outside his part-time legislative position. That includes teaching after-school music classes and working with local theaters and orchestras, according to his council biography.

“Over the past six months, Hoosiers from all corners of our state have welcomed me into their neighborhoods, homes and businesses to share their hopes and concerns for the future of Indiana and our country,” Potts said. “I am grateful to the hundreds of Hoosiers who have invested in our vision of a better Indiana where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

“Hoosiers deserve a senator who will fight for their freedom to make their own health decisions, to be safe in their neighborhoods, and to vote in a free and fair democracy,” he continued. “I look forward to working with Democrats across the state to ensure a strong, progressive candidate is our nominee to take on (Republican U.S. Rep.) Jim Banks in 2024.”

Two Democrats with more than $0 raised remain in the race, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings: former state lawmaker Marc Carmichael and psychologist Valerie McCray.

Several other Democrats have thrown their hats in the ring, according to the FEC: Lauren Bushman, former Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Executive Director RaeVen Ridgell, RV industry worker Marshall Travis and Aleem Young.

Banks — who’s garnered endorsements from the Indiana Republican Party and others — is the clear frontrunner. But Republican John Rust continues his legal battle to get on the ballot. He won an injunction against the state’s primary election eligibility laws last week but Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office has appealed.

Note: This article has been updated to include all Democrat candidates.