Bush Tax Cuts

Rep. Brad Ellsworth: I'd Keep All Tax Cuts And I Want To Vote Now (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | September 22, 2010, 5:54PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) said today he wants to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for every income bracket and said he's not sure what House Democratic leaders are going to decide about holding a vote.

"I don't think now is the right time to let those tax breaks expire," Ellsworth told Neil Cavuto on Fox News. "I would vote to extend both all across the board. ... [W]e should pass those directly, and we should do it before we go home, before we recess."

Ellsworth was one of the 31 Democrats to sign a letter asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi to keep the tax cuts for the wealthy. (Our updating list on wavering Democrats and their positions here.) He's also in a unique position among the Democrats on this issue because he is running in a statewide race for the seat of retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D). His rival Dan Coats (R) wants them extended permanently for everyone.

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2010 elections

It Ain't Pretty: Senate Dems Struggle To Hold 59 Seats (CHARTS)

Christina Bellantoni | September 7, 2010, 12:35PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

Just how bad is it out there? Consider the TPM charts below showing the poll averages from each of the elections for Senate seats currently held by Democrats. Not a single Democrat in a contested race sits above 50 percent. Worse yet, many of them are outright losing to Republicans.

Election Day is still weeks off, and anything, and we mean anything, can happen to change these numbers on a dime. And it's important to remember that there are so many more factors to consider than just polls, which, as we've proven again and again, can be wrong. Many of these Democratic incumbents have mountains of cash in the bank and President Obama has continued to be a massive fundraising strength for Democratic senators despite his unpopularity nationally. Plus, some of these Dems are up against barely-ready-for-prime-time Republicans with extreme views, and those numbers seem like they could waver.

But if every TPM Poll Average culled from our PollTracker and seen below were to hold on through Nov. 2, Democrats would lose at least five seats, and possibly as many as eight.

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IN-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Coats Up 21 Points In IN-SEN Race

Thomas Rhiel | August 10, 2010, 12:37PM

Former Senator Dan Coats (R) and Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D), candidates for US Senate in Indiana

In the race to fill retiring Sen. Evan Bayh's (D) seat in Indiana, Republican former Sen. Dan Coats has a considerable lead over Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth, a new Rasmussen survey finds. The poll has Coats ahead of Ellsworth 50%-29%.

Coats's 21-point margin over Ellsworth is identical to the one he had in Rasmussen's last survey of the race from July 8, and it's even more favorable to Coats than the results from a Coats internal poll released last week, which showed Coats up 50%-35%.

The TPM Poll Average has Coats ahead 50.0%-31.2%. The margin of error of the latest Rasmussen poll is ±4.5 percentage points.

Check out TPMDC's full coverage of the race here.

IN-SEN

Dem Ellsworth Has Cash Advantage In Indiana Senate Race

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 15, 2010, 12:34PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

At the end of the second quarter, Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) holds a small cash-on-hand advantage over former Sen. Dan Coats (R) in the race to succeed the retiring Sen. Evan Bayh (D) in Indiana. Ellsworth had $1.2 million in the bank as of June 30, while the Coats campaign will report just over $1 million when its report becomes available.

Coats had the fundraising advantage in the second quarter, though his efforts to raise money in the quarter were likely buoyed by the competitive primary he faced on May 4. According to reports, Coats raised $2.1 million and spent just over $1 million between April 1 and June 30. Ellsworth raised "nearly" $1.7 million, according to reports.

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IN-SEN

Dem Ellsworth Takes Indirect Jab At GOP Opponent's Lobbying Past In New IN-SEN Ad (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 3:34PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat of retiring Dem Evan Bayh, has launched his first TV ad of the campaign. Ellsworth cast himself as an anti-Washington candidate taking on Washington lobbyists -- a not-so-subtle attack against his Republican opponent, former Sen. Dan Coats, who had been a lobbyist for the past decade.

"One thing that 25 years as a sheriff teaches you is zero tolerance for bull. There's too much at stake. But out in Washington it's like they live and breathe the stuff," Ellsworth says. "They waste our money. They take care of special interests. And they don't care if lobbyists write the laws or if our jobs get shipped overseas. I'm Brad Ellsworth and I approve this message because the special interests and lobbyists already have enough senators on their side."

Ellsworth never directly mentions Coats in the ad, but appears to be laying the groundwork for further attacks down the road. Ellsworth begins this general election as a severe underdog, with the TPM Poll Average giving Coats a lead of 49.4%-33.6%.

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2010 elections

Have Republicans Already Blown Their Chance to Recapture The Senate?

Brian Beutler | June 15, 2010, 1:19PM

(clockwise, from top left) Sen candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV), Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Sen candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

With nearly five months to go until Election Day, Republican hopes of retaking the Senate have dimmed and they're privately lamenting their lost opportunity. Until just a few weeks ago, Republicans considered winning a Senate majority a long shot but by no means out of reach. But the euphoria over Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts in January seems a distant memory now, especially after the latest round of primary results last week.

Primary victories by Carly Fiorina in California and Sharron Angle in Nevada bolstered a growing national narrative that Republican candidates are lightweights, or too outside the mainstream, to survive in the fall, and that could harm even top tier Republicans.

"There's now a path to 'acceptable losses' for Democrats," notes one cautiously optimistic Democratic strategist.

"I totally see how the number stops at five to seven [Republican pickups]" says a Republican consultant, speaking of an optimistic scenario for the GOP.

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IN-SEN

Indiana Dems Officially Nominate Ellsworth To Run For Bayh's Seat

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 15, 2010, 3:03PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D) officially received his party's nomination to replace retiring Sen. Evan Bayh by the Indiana Democratic Central Committee this afternoon.

Ellsworth, who first won his seat in Congress in 2006, has been expected to be the Democratic Senate nominee since shortly after Bayh announced his retirement in February.

As the Indianapolis Star reports, Ellsworth's nomination today was largely a ceremonial affair. Ellsworth will now face former Sen. Dan Coats, who won the Republican nomination in a May 4 primary.

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IN-SEN

Indiana GOP Voters Pick Coats To Flip Bayh's Seat

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 4, 2010, 8:43PM

IN-SEN candidate Dan Coats

There were no surprises in the Indiana Republican Senate primary tonight. Former Senator Dan Coats, who drew fire from conservatives in the final weeks of the primary fight, has been declared his party's nominee, according to both the AP and the Indianapolis Star.

He defeated tea party favorite Marlin Stutzman and Rep. John Hostettler -- who had the endorsement of Ron Paul -- to win his party's nod.

The stage is now set for an open seat battle few expected at the start of the cycle. When Sen. Evan Bayh (D) announced his retirement in February, a race most said was the Democratic party's to lose became a toss-up that some experts say now leans in favor of the GOP. But before Coats can return to Washington a Senator after more than a decade out of office, he'll have to defeat the man who Democrats say has what it takes to keep the seat on their side of the aisle: presumptive nominee Rep. Brad Ellsworth.

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IN-SEN

Establishment GOP Marching Toward Victory Over Tea Partiers In Indiana Sen Primary

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 3, 2010, 1:31PM

Indiana Senate candidates John Hostettler (R), Marlin Stutzman (R) and Dan Coats (R)

With the final day of campaigning in the Indiana GOP Senate primary underway, the national Republican establishment seems headed to a rare victory over the forces of the tea party movement in the race to seize Sen. Evan Bayh's (D) Senate seat. There are actually five candidates running for the Republican nomination, but three have risen to dominate the race, and define the internal battle lines: former Sen. Dan Coats (who is the establishment pick), Rep. John Hostettler (who has the support of Ron Paul) and former state Rep. Marlin Stutzman (who is the tea party choice).

Based on money and recent polling, Coats seems poised to sweep the field -- a rare victory for the party mainstream that's still smarting from Gov. Charlie Crist's collapse in Florida and the conservative insurgency that looks like it might take out Sen. Bob Bennett (R) in Utah.

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2010 elections

Off To The Races: Days Away From Primaries In IN, NC, OH

Evan McMorris-Santoro | April 29, 2010, 9:11AM

A woman votes on November 7, 2006

May is just around the corner, and with it comes one of the busiest months for primaries in 2010. By the time the month is out, we'll have nominees in ten states, including some of the most closely-watched races of the year. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we get to the big races Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas (May 18), there are several smaller, relatively below-the-radar primaries to look out for next week.

The May 4 primaries will decide which Republican is going to try and take back Evan Bayh's Senate seat in Indiana, and which Democrat is going to get the chance at knocking off Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). In Ohio, the Democratic Senate primary has drawn some real excitement from progressives, if not much attention from national observers.

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IN-SEN

Pence Endorses Dan Coats In IN-SEN Primary

Eric Kleefeld | April 21, 2010, 3:57PM

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Former Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)

House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), a potential presidential candidate, has waded into the Republican Senate primary in his home state to endorse former Sen. Dan Coats.

"Dan Coats' integrity and conservative record make him the best candidate for the job. Dan is a proven conservative leader who is trusted by Hoosiers," Pence said in a statement. "I know Dan Coats well and I have long admired his personal faith, his devotion to family and his service to the people of Indiana."

This puts Pence on the opposite side of many conservative activists, such as Red State's Erick Erickson, who are supporting state Sen. Marlin Stutzman, and who consider the Senator-turned-lobbyist Coats to be a Washington insider. But as Pence notes in his endorsement, he's known Coats for a long time.

2010 elections

First-Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 16, 2010, 6:25PM

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

Here are some highlights from the first-quarter political fundraising:

• In the Republican primary to face Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA), the incumbent Perriello raised about three times more than the entire GOP field combined.

• Businessman Bruce O'Donoghue, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), announced that he raised $305,000, plus $50,000 of his own money, and has $308,000 on hand. Grayson, who is well known for his attacks against the Republicans, previously announced that he raised $803,000, and has $1.5 million on hand.

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IN-SEN

Candidate Coats Rails Against Government Takeovers -- After Lobbying On TARP For Chrysler's Parent Company

Eric Kleefeld | March 12, 2010, 6:03PM

Former Sen. Dan Coats

Former Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) is running for his old Senate seat, apparently on a platform of opposing government takeover of the private sector. But as it turns out, in 2008 he lobbied the Senate on the TARP bill, on behalf of none other than Chrysler's parent company.

The NBC affiliate in South Bend quoted Coats early this week, explaining why he was returning to politics. "Well, nobody anticipated that government's going to try to run auto companies, bank insurance companies, take over the private sector," said Coats.

However, according to a federal lobbying report for the third quarter of 2008, Coats served as a lobbyist on behalf of Cerberus Capital Management, the firm that owned a majority share in Chrysler. The subject matter of the lobbying: The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 -- a.k.a. the TARP bailout. The issue listed for lobbying: "Treatment of motor vehicle finance companies as financial institutions, disposition of troubled assets, and related issues."

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IN-SEN

Bayh Pens Fundraising E-Mail For Ellsworth As New IN-SEN Democratic Candidate

Eric Kleefeld | March 11, 2010, 11:52AM

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), who is retiring this year, has sent out a fundraising letter to promote the new Democratic candidate to succeed him, Rep. Brad Ellsworth.

"Brad is an independent voice and a fiscal conservative who shares the fierce dedication to public service that you and I value. He has my complete confidence, and I hope you will support him as vigorously as you have supported me," Bayh writes in the e-mail. "But with only eight short months to go until Election Day, your immediate support is critical."

As we have reported, the state Democratic Party's central committee will formally select the new candidate -- who will in all likelihood be Ellsworth -- some time after the May 4 primary, and before a June 30 deadline. This is because Bayh announced his retirement the day before the signatures were due, and nobody filed the petitions necessary to appear on the Democratic primary ballot.

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IN-SEN

Memo To Progressives: If You Disliked Bayh Just Wait Til You See Ellsworth

Eric Kleefeld | March 2, 2010, 9:16AM

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

The retirement of Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), who was often criticized by progressive Democrats, presents a certain ironic outcome -- that the likely new Democratic nominee to replace him, Rep. Brad Ellsworth, is actually somewhat to Bayh's right.

The various rating systems, and the two legislators' voting records, shows that Ellsworth is generally in the same territory as Bayh on most issues. The difference comes on three key social issues: Abortion, gay rights, and gun control.

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IN-SEN

Dem Rep. Baron Hill Not Running For Senate, Endorses Ellsworth

Eric Kleefeld | March 1, 2010, 2:54PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)

Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) announced over the weekend that he will not run for the the Senate seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, and that he has endorsed Rep. Brad Ellsworth to be the new Democratic nominee.

"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," Hill said in a statement.

As we have reported, the fact that nobody filed the petitions necessary to appear on the Democratic primary ballot -- Bayh announced his retirement the day before the signatures were due -- means that the state Democratic Party's central committee has the authority to name a new candidate. That meeting of the committee will come some time after the May 4 primary, and before a June 30 deadline.

IN-SEN

Dem Baron Hill Still Mulling Senate Run In Indiana

Eric Kleefeld | February 23, 2010, 6:52PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)

Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN) is still keeping the door open to the possibility of seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat of retiring Democrat Evan Bayh. However, it should be remembered that if he does seek the Dem nomination, for which Rep. Brad Ellsworth is already a candidate, it will be through a process without a conventional primary.

As we have reported, the fact that nobody filed the petitions necessary to appear on the Democratic primary ballot means that the state Democratic Party's central committee has the authority to name a new candidate. That meeting of the committee will come some time after the May 4 primary, and before June 30.

"A lot of people are undecided on the state committee. Some are favoring me. Some are favoring Brad," Hill told CNN. He also added: "I think I have to make it sooner rather than later. I think I need to make it this week."

Brad Ellsworth

Dem Brad Ellsworth To Run For Indiana Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | February 19, 2010, 12:06PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Indiana Democrats are on the verge of having a new candidate for the Senate seat of retiring Dem Evan Bayh, with Rep. Brad Ellsworth about to jump in -- though they won't be able to officially have a nominee in legal terms for a little while.

Chris Cillizza and Politico report that sources say Ellsworth is definitely in the race. A high-level Democratic source has also confirmed the news to TPMDC. (Late Update: Ellsworth himself has confirmed it to the local NBC station in Evansville.)

The Indianapolis Star also reports that Democratic state Rep. Trent Van Haaften has filed to run for Ellsworth's House seat. However the Star reports, it turns out that state law will prevent the Dems from being able to select the Senate candidate until after the May 4 primary.

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IN-SEN

Poll: Potential Dem Candidates Trail GOPers In Indiana Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | February 18, 2010, 11:36AM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)

The new Rasmussen poll of Indiana, the first survey of the Senate race here since Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh suddenly announced his retirement, finds the two most prominent potential Dem replacement candidates trailing the Republicans.

Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsowrth trails former GOP Sen. Dan Coats by 46%-32%, trails former Rep. John Hostettler by 46%-27%, and trails state Sen. Marlin Stutzman by 40%-30%. Democratic Rep. Baron Hill is behind Coats by 48%-32%, trails Hostettler by 49%-31%, and is behind Stutzman by 41%-33%.

Neither Ellsworth nor Hill are officially in the race at this time, and an actual campaign would likely boost the eventual candidate's name recognition and poll numbers somewhat. But for now, at least, the Democrats appear to start out this open-seat contest significantly behind.

IN-SEN

Indiana Senate Race Could Set Off Another Open-Seat Race -- For The House

Eric Kleefeld | February 16, 2010, 3:03PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) and Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)

The scramble for a new Democratic Senate candidate in Indiana, with the sudden retirement of Sen. Evan Bayh and his expected replacement by the state Democratic Party, has seen a lot of attention focused on some of the state's Democratic House members -- which could in turn set off an additional scramble to fill one of their seats, should they decide to run.

A Democratic source in Indiana filled us in on the possible candidates for the seats of three Dem House members who could conceivably become the new Senate nominee: Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill. (Most speculation has centered on Ellsworth and Hill, though Donnelly is not out of the question, either.) If any of these three were to accept the Democratic nomination for Senate and subsequently vacate their own nominations for the House, the party would go through an internal process to replace them as Congressional candidates.

The Democratic Party precinct chairs within the district, who are elected from each of the state's election precincts, would meet for a caucus at which they would vote for a new candidate. If more than two people were to run for a seat, and nobody were to win a majority at first, voting would continue until somebody reached 50-percent-plus-one. In this kind of process, different local allegiances and records in office can have a genuine role to play among the hundreds of people voting in the contest. "Needless to say, that is a more interesting process than the state mechanism," the source said.

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2010 elections

GOP Challenges Bayh: Delay Primary To Remove Appearance Of Dems' Gamesmanship

Christina Bellantoni | February 16, 2010, 12:43PM

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

The Indiana Democrats are on the verge of not holding a primary to choose a nominee for the U.S. Senate, something retiring Sen. Evan Bayh seems to have no problem with and which has a longshot candidate crying foul.

Now the Republicans are getting in on the action, with National Republican Senatorial Committee Sen. John Cornyn challenging Bayh to change the process since it seems like an unfair.

This could end up being a key point, especially given how the Republican party faced serious trouble in New York's 23rd Congressional district after selecting a candidate from behind a closed door.

Bayh announced he won't seek reelection yesterday, leaving Democrats with little wiggle room to get a candidate on the primary ballot since 4,500 signatures (500 from each Congressional district) are due today.

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Tamyra d'Ippolito

County Official: d'Ippolito Has Only Three Signatures Filed With Us -- Won't Qualify For Ballot

Eric Kleefeld | February 16, 2010, 12:25PM

IN-SEN candidate Tamyra d'Ippolito (D) and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) (inset)

Terry Burns, the Democratic member of the Board of Voter Registration in Marion County, Indiana, informs TPMDC that Tamyra d'Ippolito does not have the required ballot-petition signatures needed to run in the Democratic primary for Senate. In fact, he said, she hardly has any in his area.

In Indiana, petitions are submitted within the county where the signatures upon it were collected. The deadline to do this was noon today. Petitions are then reviewed and certified by the counties, and forwarded on to the state. In order to appear on the primary ballot for Senate, a candidate must have collected 500 signatures within each of the state's nine Congressional districts. Marion County, the home of Indianapolis, has the 7th District located entirely within its borders -- so if d'Ippolito doesn't have at least 500 signatures in this one county alone, getting on the ballot would be out of the question.

"We received this morning three signatures. And that is all we have received, so she will not qualify to be on the ballot," said Burns. He also added: "Once the noon deadline passes, that's it." In addition, only two of the signatures came from the 7th District -- the other was from the 5th District, which is partially located within Marion County.

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Tamyra d'Ippolito

Conservatives Working To Get Longshot Dem On IN-Sen Ballot

Ben Frumin | February 16, 2010, 11:23AM

IN-SEN candidate Tamyra d'Ippolito (D)

Tamyra d'Ippolito is getting some help she didn't ask for.

A cafe owner who's seeking the Democratic nomination to the Senate seat currently held by Evan Bayh, d'Ippolito can't quite seem to figure out whether she has enough signatures to get on the primary ballot and all but assure herself the Democratic nomination.

But what does seem certain is some conservatives are encouraging their followers to help round up signatures for a candidate they seem to view as not quite ready for prime time.

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Tamyra d'Ippolito

Indiana Dem Chairman: No, d'Ippolito Does Not Have 4,500 Ballot Signatures -- She Has 22

Eric Kleefeld | February 16, 2010, 11:16AM

IN-SEN candidate Tamyra d'Ippolito (D)

In an interview with TPMDC, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker strongly denied that cafe owner Tamyra d'Ippolito has obtained the necessary ballot-petition signatures to appear on the ballot in the Dem primary for Senate -- disputing d'Ippolito's earlier claim to have to have obtained the 500 required in each of the state's nine House districts.

"I am monitoring the situation with our boards of voter registration and our county clerks' offices. Those are the places where petitions have to be submitted for certification," said Parker. "They have to be certified in the counties and then brought to the Secretary of State's office by Friday. As of this moment, other than Evan Bayh, there's one candidate, who is a Democratic candidate [d'Ippolito], who has 22 signatures statewide."

As we have reported, Democrats were apparently expecting that nobody would successfully file for the Senate seat, given the fact that Bayh dropped out a day before the petitions were due. Under Indiana law, the state Democratic Party's central committee has the authority to name a new candidate. If d'Ippolito is indeed able to make the ballot, then the Dems would have to find some other means to get a different candidate -- or else have her as their nominee.

Tamyra d'Ippolito

D'Ippolito: I Have Enough Signatures To Get On The Ballot For IN-SEN Dem Primary

Eric Kleefeld | February 16, 2010, 10:43AM

IN-SEN candidate Tamyra d'Ippolito (D) and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) (inset)

Tamyra d'Ippolito, a cafe owner who has been seeking the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat currently held by Evan Bayh, just told TPMDC that she does have the minimum number of ballot-petition signatures need to get on the ballot for the Democratic primary. If her petitions do in fact work out, that would seriously complicate the efforts by the party to pick a new candidate to replace Bayh, the retiring incumbent Democrat, on the ballot this November.

In order to appear on the primary election ballot for Senate, a candidate in Indiana must obtain 500 petition signatures in each of the state's nine House districts -- and the deadline is today. Yesterday, d'Ippolito said she was about 1,000 short of the overall goal of 4,500. However, she said, in the last day signatures picked up considerably -- and she is prepared to fight any potential efforts by the Democratic Party to have enough signatures invalidated to put her below the quota.

"We have enough signatures and we're ready to go to court. We're ready to fight," said d'Ippolito. "And yes it's politics, and I'm sure there are certain Democrats, I hope they are the minority, I'm sure there are certain Democrats who will try those underhanded activities. I hope they would be wiser not to take that road."

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Evan Bayh

Bayh Calls Lack Of Primary To Replace Him A Good Thing On Call With Dems

Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 15, 2010, 6:43PM

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

On a conference call with county Democratic Party chairs this afternoon, Sen. Evan Bayh and Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker declared that not having a Democratic primary to find a replacement for the retiring Bayh would have its upsides, according to a source who was on the call.

Bayh opened the call by repeating the reasons for not seeking reelection he mentioned in his press conference today, the source said. But in a message tailored for his audience of local party officials, Bayh said the timing of his announcement could be a positive for Democrats. The source said that Bayh told the call that the lack of a primary would mean that the Republican party candidates would attack each other on their own, with no Democrats to get in the way. On the Democratic side of the process, according to the source, Bayh said officials would choose a strong nominee from their "deep bench."

"He said, 'if this goes to the state committee then we'll have selected a candidate without a divisive primary,'" the source told me this evening.

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IN-SEN

Crowded GOP Field Eyeing Bayh Seat In Hoosier State

Christina Bellantoni | February 15, 2010, 3:37PM

Former Sen. Dan Coats

Indiana Republicans are feeling a lot more confident about their chances to pick up Sen. Evan Bayh's Senate seat this fall, but it's looking like there will be a 5-way GOP primary.

As we've been reporting, candidates have until tomorrow to submit 4,500 signature petitions to qualify for the ballot. They have until Friday to file paperwork with the Secretary of State.

A spokesman for the Indiana Republican Party told TPMDC there will likely be four or five candidates who meet the threshold to appear on the May 4 primary ballot.

"We're going to let the primary play out," the spokesman told me.

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IN-SEN

Brad Ellsworth Considering Senate Bid

Christina Bellantoni | February 15, 2010, 2:33PM

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth is considering throwing his hat in the ring to run for Sen. Evan Bayh's Senate seat, saying today he wants feedback from his family and his constituents.

Ellsworth (D-IN), elected in 2006 when the Democrats took over Congress, lauded Bayh in a statement just released from his office and says the senator will be missed.

He adds that he's already been encouraged to seek the seat.

"I heard about the news during my annual Open Door Listening Tour this morning, and I appreciate the support of those Hoosiers who have already encouraged me to run for Senator Bayh's seat," Ellsworth said.

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Evan Bayh

Bayh: 'I Do Not Love Congress'

Eric Kleefeld | February 15, 2010, 2:24PM

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) just officially announced his retirement from the Senate, with a clear message: He doesn't like Congress.

"For some time I've had a growing conviction that Congress is not working as it should," said Bayh. As a prime example, he referred to the recent filibustering of legislation to create a bipartisan fiscal commission. What particularly bothered Bayh was that it was defeated by Senators who had previously been co-sponsors of the measure itself, but then blocked it for what he described as political reasons.

"To put it in words I think most people can understand, I love working for the people of Indiana, I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives," said Bayh. "But I do not love Congress."

Bayh's full prepared remarks are available after the jump.

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Tamyra d'Ippolito

Another Dem Already In Race For Bayh's Seat -- But Doesn't Have The Needed Signatures Yet

Eric Kleefeld | February 15, 2010, 12:39PM

IN-SEN candidate Tamyra d'Ippolito (D)

Indiana Democrats appear to be on a course to name a candidate for Evan Bayh's Senate seat, given the high unlikelihood that another candidate could successfully file the necessary ballot petitions with the state this week in order to enter the primary. But, there is in fact at least one other candidate besides Bayh who was already seeking to get on the ballot.

So, how is Tamyra d'Ippolito, a cafe owner in Bloomington, doing with collecting the 500 petition signatures in each of the state's nine House districts (a requirement that Bayh's campaign had already fulfilled, according to Democratic sources and published media reports)? The deadline to complete the filing process is this week.

On a phone call just now, d'Ippolito told me that she is not yet at the goal: "We're working feverishly here."

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2010 elections

Surprise! Bayh's Choice Leaves State Party Officials Choosing Replacement Candidate

Christina Bellantoni | February 15, 2010, 11:40AM

President Obama and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Sen. Evan Bayh had already collected the 4,500 ballot-petition signatures needed to run in this year's Indiana Democratic primary, and his last-minute decision not to run leaves the Indiana Democratic Party in the position of having to select its candidate itself. There probably isn't a realistic way for anyone to gather the signatures needed by this week's deadline.

A Democratic source told TPMDC that Bayh's campaign did polling last week and found the senator was ahead of Republican Dan Coats, a candidate who just jumped in the race. Bayh had completed all the petitions for the race, which are due this week, the source said.

R.J. Gerard, communications director for the Indiana Democratic Party confirmed to TPMDC that the state Democratic Party would be able to select a new candidate to run in November's general election if no one files petitions with 4,500 signatures (500 within each of the state's nine House districts) to run in the primary.

The petitions must be filed with the county clerk's office by Tuesday. Then candidates have until Friday to file with the Secretary of State for the primary ballot. The lack of another Democrat will mean there is a vacancy, leaving it to the state party's State Central Committee to choose a candidate at its June 30 meeting.

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Evan Bayh

Indiana Dem Sen. Evan Bayh To Retire

Eric Kleefeld | February 15, 2010, 10:57AM

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)

In a big development for the 2010 elections, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), one of the key centrist Democrats in the Senate, will not seek re-election this year, a Democratic source confirms to TPMDC.

Bayh's official reason is that he simply does not want to serve in the Senate anymore. "After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so in Congress has waned," Bayh will say at a press conference, according to prepared remarks obtained by the Indianapolis Star.

"Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election," Bayh will also say. "But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough."

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Dan Coats

Report: Former GOP Sen. Dan Coats To Seek Comeback Bid Against Evan Bayh

Eric Kleefeld | February 3, 2010, 10:35AM

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and former Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)

Former Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) will reportedly announce that he is running for the Republican nomination for his old Senate seat, which is currently held by Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana journalist Brian Howey reports.

Coats was first elected to the House in 1980, and appointed to the Senate in 1989 after Dan Quayle's election to the vice presidency. Coats was then elected in his own right in 1990 and 1992, and then retired in 1998, with Bayh picking up the seat.

Coats is a late entrant to the primary race, with former Rep. John Hostettler, state Sen. Marlin Stutzman, and Tea Party activist Richard Behney already in the race. The election is also approaching its filing deadline -- Coats will have to gather at least 4,500 ballot petition signatures, 500 within each of the state's nine House districts, in the next two weeks.

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Richard Behney

Indiana GOP Chairman: 'We Don't Condone' Senate Candidate Who Called For Armed Revolution If 2010 Elections Don't Work Out

Eric Kleefeld | January 27, 2010, 10:57AM

Senate candidate Richard Behney (R-IN)

The Indiana Republican Party is officially disapproving of remarks by Richard Behney, a Tea Party activist who is seeking the GOP nomination to run against Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, and who declared that if the 2010 elections don't turn out right he would be "cleaning my guns and getting ready for the big show."

"We don't condone this type of rhetoric and feel it is unhelpful in promoting constructive debate," said state GOP chairman Murray Clark, in a statement e-mailed to TPMDC. "We continue to encourage anyone seeking political change to do so through the electoral process and to discuss the issues of the day in a civil manner."

In a video that was posted online in late December, but has received wider attention in the last few days, Behney told a political gathering: "I believe personally, we're at a crossroads. We have one last opportunity. And I believe 2010 is it. All right? And we can do it with our vote. And we can get new faces in, whether it's my face or not, I pray to God that I see new faces. And if we don't see new faces, I'm cleaning my guns and getting ready for the big show. And I'm serious about that, and I bet you are, too. But I know none of us want to go that far yet, and we can do it with our vote." (Watch the video here.)

Richard Behney

Tea Party Activist And Senate Candidate: 'If We Don't See New Faces, I'm Cleaning My Guns And Getting Ready For The Big Show' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2010, 7:00PM

Senate candidate Richard Behney (R-IN)

Richard Behney, an Indiana Tea Party activist and candidate for the Republican nomination for Senate against Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, made a striking pronouncement at a meeting late last year of the "Evansville 2nd Amendment Patriots": That if new people don't get elected to Congress in 2010, he'll be getting out his guns to face down the American government.

"That's the beauty of this, folks. We can do it before it gets to guns," said Behney, in praise of the electoral process. "All right, our founders brought out the guns. When they showed up at Lexington and Concord, regular folks, farm boys, doctors, merchant men, and they said you ain't taking our stuff. They stood up to the most powerful army in the world, and they bought our freedom, literally with their blood. And we don't have to do that yet.

"I believe personally, we're at a crossroads. We have one last opportunity. And I believe 2010 is it. All right? And we can do it with our vote. And we can get new faces in, whether it's my face or not, I pray to God that I see new faces. And if we don't see new faces, I'm cleaning my guns and getting ready for the big show. And I'm serious about that, and I bet you are, too. But I know none of us want to go that far yet, and we can do it with our vote."

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Mike Pence

GOPer Mike Pence Not Running Against Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2010, 11:22AM

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) has announced on his Facebook page that he will not run for Senate this year against second-term Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh.

"After much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to remain in the House and to seek reelection to the 6th Congressional District in 2010," Pence writes. "I am staying for two reasons. First because I have been given the responsibility to shape the Republican comeback as a member of the House Republican Leadership and, second, because I believe Republicans will win back the majority in the House of Representatives in 2010."

A Rasmussen poll released yesterday had shown Pence with a 47%-44% lead over Bayh in a hypothetical match-up. Against the Republican candidates who are currently in the race, Bayh had a slim lead of 47%-44% over former Rep. John Hostettler, who lost reelection in 2006, and a 45%-33% lead over state Sen. Marlin Stutzman.

IN-SEN

Poll: Pence Leads Bayh In Potential Indiana Senate Matchup

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 25, 2010, 9:22AM

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN)

Add another reason for the rumor mill to churn about a Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) run for Senate this year. A new Rasmussen poll out this morning shows Pence leading the man he'll try to unseat should he enter the race, Sen. Evan Bayh (D), in a head-to-head matchup

The poll shows Pence ahead of Bayh by 3 points, 47-44. Bayh, a moderate who has at times clashed with the White House over spending during the past year, would be a particularly sweet target for the GOP. The prospects of a Pence win is also likely to fire up the tea party base of the GOP, who consider Pence one of their kind of Republicans.

Pence hasn't said whether he'll run or not, but reports show he's been seriously considering it. Last week, Reid Wilson reported Pence met with the NRSC to discuss the possibility.

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