The Latest: Pence in Indiana to boost GOP Senate candidate

INDIANAPOLIS – The Latest on dueling rallies former Vice-President Joe Biden and current Vice-President Mike Pence are having in Indiana to support Senate candidates (all times local):

8:10 p.m.

Vice-President Mike Pence is telling a crowd in Indianapolis that a vote for Indiana Democrat Joe Donnelly is a vote to turn the U.S. Senate into the liberal “centre of the resistance.”

The former Indiana governor was in his home state Friday for a fundraising dinner, where he urged Republicans to turn out in force for GOP businessman Mike Braun.

Donnelly is among a handful of Democrats running for re-election in states President Donald Trump won. He and Braun are locked in a tight race that could determine control of the Senate.

Pence says Braun will be a loyal supporter of Trump. But re-electing Donnelly could hand the reins of the Senate to New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who is the Senate Democrats’ leader.

Pence says that would lead to “unprecedented obstruction.”

Former Vice-President Joe Biden was appearing with Donnelly at about the same time at a rally in northern Indiana.

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12:54 a.m.

Sen. Joe Donnelly is bringing in help in his effort to run up the vote in the Democratic stronghold of northwest Indiana.

Vice-President Joe Biden, who has blue-collar appeal and presidential ambitions, will campaign with Donnelly Friday in this heavily industrial corner of the state.

But Biden won’t be the only vice-president paying a visit to the state.

Vice-President Mike Pence will be appearing at a fundraising dinner in Indianapolis around the same time to rev up support for Donnelly’s rival, Republican businessman Mike Braun.

Indiana has been a reliably red state in recent years, but the two are locked in a close race that could determine which party controls the Senate.