Bayh Bayh Evan! Bayh won’t seek re-election!

bayhWow, this is a bombshell! Most of the Democrats who announced their “retirements” are Congressmen who were old, or had no shot of re-election. Evan Bayh on the other hand isn’t very old, and certainly at least had a shot of winning re-election. Well, he’s gone now too! I don’t suppose this had anything to do with Evan Bayh’s residency in Indiana being listed as an accountant’s office does it? Not only is Bayh’s move a shocker because of his standing in the state of Indiana, he also puts Democrats in a very difficult situation. According to National Review, The filing deadline to run for federal office in the state is Friday! The Indiana Secretary of State lists it as February 19. It seems that candidates have until tomorrow to collect the signatures, and until Friday to turn them in to the state.
Update: here’s the video of Bayh’s retirement announcement:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_Yi0mWY98

“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 later today in a press conference according to the Washington Post.

In his statement, Bayh cited the lack of bipartisan comity as one of the main reasons for the decision. “There is too much partisanship and not enough progress — too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving,” Bayh will say. “Even at a time of enormous challenge, the peoples’ business is not being done.” He specifically cited the recent vote that killed the creation of a debt commission as evidence of the partisan gridlock.

Bayh 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.

“My decision was not motivated by political concern,” Bayh is expected to say. “Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election.”

Prior to being in the Senate, Bayh served two terms as governor of the Hoosier State. He also served briefly as Secretary of State.

His retirement is a blow for Senate Democrats who now must legitimately worry about the possibility — although it remains a longshot today — that they will lose control of the Senate in the fall.

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February 15, 2010 · Filed Under Democrats


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