Indiana Democratic Senator Evan Bayh will not seek reelection, he said Monday:
"In prepared remarks, Bayh, 54, cited excessive partisanship that makes progress on public policy difficult to achieve as the motivation for his decision. 'After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned,' he said.
'My decision was not motivated by political concern,' he added. 'Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.'
Bayh had never lost an election, from his first win in 1986 as secretary of state, his wins for governor in 1988 and 1992 and his election to the U.S. Senate in 1998 and 2004.
'But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough,' Bayh said. 'And it has never been what motivates me. At this time I simply believe I can best contribute to society in another way: creating jobs by helping grow a business, helping guide an institution of higher learning or helping run a worthy charitable endeavor.'"
Statement called "total bullshit".
Politico: "Senate Democratic leaders, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and DSCC Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) were not informed of Bayh's decision until Monday morning, according to several Democratic insiders. Bayh was even scheduled to appear on a CNN Sunday show, but canceled his appearance, said Democratic sources.
Attention immediately turned to a pair of moderate House Democrats, Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth, as potential prospects to fill the seat.
Aside from Coats, the favored candidate of the national GOP, former Rep. John Hostettler and a handful of lesser-known candidates were already vying for the Republican nomination."
In the dust: Primary filing deadline tomorrow?
