Bayh, Pence Reports Continue ‘Crazy Year’
When Bayh announced he was running
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe shakeup of Indiana’s political landscape continues. Baron Hill, who ran unopposed in the May primary on the Democrat side, has withdrawn from the U.S. Senate Race. The move comes as CNN reports Evan Bayh is planning to run for the seat. Meantime, a story from The Washington Times says Republican insiders expect Donald Trump to choose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate. Pence will join Trump Tuesday for a campaign rally in Westfield.
If Pence is chosen as the Republican vice presidential nominee, the State Republican Central Committee will pick a new nominee to run for governor on the November ballot. WIBC-Network Indiana Chief Political Correspondent Eric Berman says the selection could create a "domino effect," leaving more offices in need of a candidate. Selections to potentially replace Pence on the Republican ticket include Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-88), Congressman Todd Rokita (R-4) and Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb.
Berman says Republicans potentially putting a new name on the ballot this late in election season may have opened the door for Bayh and Democrats to do the same. If he enters the race, he will run against Congressman Todd Young (R-9), who defeated fellow Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-3) in the Republican primary. The Senate seat is currently held by Dan Coats, who is retiring after his current term.
Bayh served a term as Indiana secretary of state in the late-1980s, two-terms as governor from 1989 to 1997 and two terms as a U.S. Senator from 1999 to 2011, announcing his retirement from public office in 2010. Bayh currently serves a partner with Washington D.C. public affairs attorneys, McGuireWoods LLP. He is also a senior advisor for New York-based Apollo Global Management and sits on several boards, including Fifth Third Bank, Marathon Petroleum Corp., and Evansville-based Berry Plastics Group Inc. (NYSE: BERY).
In a letter to supporters, Hill said "I have never run away from tough decisions or tough fights. But, I am a pragmatic person who will always put my country and my state first. I am also a proud Democrat who wants to see an Indiana Democrat fighting for Hoosier families alongside Senator Joe Donnelly in the U.S. Senate. And, I want to do everything in my power to ensure a U.S. Senate that will govern responsibly. That is why, after consulting with my family, my staff and party leaders, I am withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race and removing my name from the November ballot."
Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody called Hill "a friend and a mentor" and said the process to fill the ballot vacancy will begin in accordance with state law.
Berman says there could be more shakeups to come.