Rep. Mike Pence and Rep. Joe Donnelly would not seek the seat of Sen. Evan Bayh
Rep. Mike Pence
Rep. Joe Donnelly
At least two congressmen who might have filled Evan Bayh’s seat in the U.S. Senate today said they won’t.
Bayh, D-Ind., today announced during an Indianapolis press conference that he would not seek re-election for a third term.
Then Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, announced a second time that he would not seek the seat. Pence, 53, serves the 6th Congressional District in east central and northeast Indiana. He first announced he did not want the seat on Jan. 26.
In a statement today from his office, spokesman Mike Lloyd wrote, “After receiving considerable encouragement to run for the United States Senate last month, Mr. Pence made a decision to seek re-election to the House of Representatives and help lead a conservative comeback in 2010 and that decision stands.
“Mr. Pence’s decision was made irrespective of polls or Sen. Bayh’s intention to seek re-election.” An Indiana Democrat also said today that he wouldn’t take the seat.
U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., in a statement called Bayh a “selfless public servant,” but noted he filed papers a week ago to again represent the 2nd Congressional District of northeast Indiana.
Donnelly, 54, Granger, had at one point put his name out there for consideration.
His statement today said, “The people of north central Indiana sent me to Congress to represent them, and I will continue to put their interests first.”
