Joe Donnelly

Joseph Simon Donnelly Sr., born on September 29, 1955, in Massapequa, New York, is a distinguished American attorney, politician, and diplomat. A member of the Democratic Party, he has made significant contributions to public service, including his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 and as a U.S. senator from 2013 to 2019. His political journey reflects a commitment to his constituents and a dedication to public service.

Donnelly's educational background includes a degree from the University of Notre Dame, which laid the foundation for his career in law and politics. He began his political career with the Indiana State Election Board while practicing law. His early involvement in local governance included serving on the Mishawaka Marian School Board from 1997 to 2001, where he held the position of president from 2000 to 2001.

In 2004, Donnelly sought a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but faced defeat against Republican incumbent Chris Chocola. Undeterred, he successfully challenged Chocola in 2006, winning with fifty-four percent of the vote. During his time in Congress, he was reelected in both 2008 and 2010, representing Indiana's 2nd congressional district.

In May 2011, he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, securing the Democratic nomination in an uncontested primary. He faced Richard Mourdock in the general election, emerging victorious with fifty percent of the vote. However, his bid for reelection in 2018 ended in defeat against Republican Mike Braun. In a notable turn in his career, President Joe Biden nominated Donnelly as the United States ambassador to the Holy See, a role he assumed in April 2022.