Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this year, a decision that hands Republicans a prime pickup opportunity in the middle of the country.I'll bet Rep Mike Pence is kicking himself now for not going for this job.
"After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned," Bayh will say.
Bayh will announce the decision at a press conference later today. He was first elected to the Senate in 1998 and was re-elected easily in 2004. National Republicans had recruited former Sen. Dan Coats to challenge Bayh in 2010 although polling suggested Bayh began the race with a 20-point edge. He also had $13 million in the bank at the end of the year.
Former Sen. Dan Coats (R) announced his plans to run against Bayh a couple of weeks ago and now has to be considered the favorite.
UPDATE from Jim Geraghty:
There does seem to be a lot of these this year. And from Ed Morrissey:Man, this is the most shocking retirement of a midwestern Democratic senator in, like, six weeks.
Bayh manages to screw his party by retiring with just four days left for a replacement to file for candidacyFiling deadlines have never bothered Dems. They always find some judge to toss them out.
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1 comment:
Bayh is a smart man. It is pretty bad when even a Democrat is unable to work within his own party. The Democrat party under the leadership of Obama, Pelosi and Reid are doomed. I think there will be more and more Democrats pulling out of the party as they can see the handwriting on the wall. I trust the Republican Party will get smart and stand behind some reputable men/women to run for these open positions.
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