An independent bid for U.S. Senate in the state of Indiana could set a major precedent in a state known for restrictive ballot access laws. The latest from a Ballot Access News post by Richard Winger:

No independent candidate has ever been on an Indiana government-printed ballot for either U.S. Senate or Governor. Businessman Nathan Altman will attempt to get on the ballot this year for U.S. Senate. See this story. No minor party or independent candidate petition for statewide office has succeeded in Indiana since 2000. Indiana is one of only four states in which Ralph Nader never got on the ballot, even though he is the person who placed third in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

Altman needs at least 26,699 signatures to reach the ballot. He is apparently well known in “Indianapolis tech circles as a skilled entrepreneur. He launched and sold a lawn mowing company before starting college and later co-founded a company called uFlavor”, according to an article in the local IndyStar paper by reporter James Briggs.