U.S Rep. Baron Hill won’t run for Senate, endorses Ellsworth
U.S Rep. Baron Hill won’t run for Senate, endorses Ellsworth
By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener
INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th District, said Saturday he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Evan Bayh and endorsed fellow congressman Brad Ellsworth of the 8th District for the Democratic nomination.
“My focus has been, and will remain, on fulfilling my job as the congressman from Southern Indiana and continuing to address the most pressing issues our nation and great state face, like deficit reduction, health care reform, energy independence and entitlement spending,” Hill said in a statement.
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The Democratic nominee will face the winner of a five-way Republican race that includes former U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, state Sen. Marlin Stutzman of Howe and former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler.
Bayh stunned Democrats and Republicans earlier this month with the announcement that he won’t seek a third term. And because he announced his retirement just one day before a crucial filing deadline, no Democratic candidates qualified for the ballot. That leaves the central committee to make the decision.
Ellsworth took just a few days to decide he would seek the nomination and even pulled his name off the congressional ballot to focus on the Senate race. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott has also said he intends to seek the Senate seat.
But Hill was visiting troops in Afghanistan and was unable to respond immediately to the opportunity. He has spent the past week talking with central committee members and constituents about whether to run.
Hill said in his statement he needed that time “to thoughtfully reflect upon what had transpired.”
“While seeking such input, however, I kept my focus on working for the people of the 9th District of Indiana, evidenced by my meetings with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood regarding local infrastructure projects,” Hill said.