A Massapequa native will be sworn into the U.S. Senate Thursday.
Joe Donnelly, 57, a Democrat, is the Senate-elect from Indiana. The three-term Congressman from Mishawaka got his political start serving on the Indiana election board and then five years on a local school board.
Donnelly grew up in Massapequa and left for college at Notre Dame. He graduated with a B.A. in Government in 1977 and ND Law School in 1981. He met his wife, Jill, while in school. They have two children, Molly and Joe Jr.
Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, a 36-year incumbent, lost a primary challenge to Richard Mourdock. Donnelly then beat Mourdock with 50 percent of the vote in November.
Donnelly will serve on three Senate committees: Aging, Agriculture and Armed Forces.
