Congressman Baron Hill Won't Pursue Vacant U.S. Senate Seat

Baron Hill, Congressman for Indiana's 9th District, announced on Saturday that he will not be pursuing the upcoming vacant U.S. Senate seat of Senator Evan Bayh. Hill instead intends to focus on receiving re-election for his position in the 9th District. In a statement issued by Hill on Saturday, he said, "I opt to stay in the game and continue to serve as an independent voice for my Southern Indiana constituents." Hill was first elected to the House of Representative in 1998, receiving re-election in 2002 and 2006.

Hill expounded on his desire to achieve re-election and continue pursuits that have been started during his current term. "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," said Hill. "That said, I will not seek the nomination for the United States Senate, and will continue my efforts to be re-elected to another term representing the Ninth District of Indiana."

Bayh announced his resignation from the Senate on February 15th. During a media conference at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Bayh reflected on his time in the Senate and the decision to leave his position. "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," said Bayh. "For some time, I have had a growing conviction that Congress is not operating as it should. There is too much partisanship and not enough progress -- too much narrow ideology and not enough practical problem-solving. Even at a time of enormous challenge, the peoples' business is not being done."

With Bayh's seat opening soon and Hill choosing to pursue re-election of his current position, the most likely Democratic candidate appears to be 8^th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth. In his statement Saturday, Congressman Hill formally endorsed Ellsworth, saying "I believe my friend and colleague, Congressman Brad Ellsworth, is the right man to fulfill the task of ensuring a Democrat is elected to succeed Senator Bayh."

Sources:

"Press Releases." Congressman Baron Hill Homepage.

"Bayh Announces He Will Not Seek a Third Senate Term." U.S. Senator Evan Bayh Homepage.