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Evan Bayh Retiring: Birch Bayh Son Not Running For Re-election

by Sudha Krishna | February 15, 2010 at 09:16 am

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Democratic Senator Evan Bayh has announced he will be retiring and will not seek re-election, ending a long history of Bayh's in national politics.

Evan Bayh, like his father Birch Bayh, (who was also a Senator from Indiana) is stepping away from politics.

Speaking at a media conference Evan Bayh said, "the people's business is not being done...my decision should not reflect negatively on my President. 5 times in the last 24 years I have been honored by the people of Indiana to represent them. At this time I best think I can contribute to society in an other way... Words cannot convey...my gratitude to the great people of Indiana.... I am constantly reminded that if Washington DC can be more like Indiana, Washington would be a better place."

Sen Evan Bayh has never lost an electoral contest but the two time Senator says he will resign and not seek re-election in 2010. Apparently Evan Bayh is tired of the intensely partisan atmosphere in Washington.

A top operative in the party told the Huffington Post that the decision was "last minute" and "personal," seemingly not driven by prospects of defeat.
"They polled last week and were way ahead of [Republican candidate Dan] Coats," the operative said.

Money was not a factor for the Indiana Senator, as Bayh's fund raising was progressing well

"Bayh had been raising campaign cash at decent clip and had nearly $13 million in cash on hand. According to USA TODAY's Fredreka Schouten"

Evan Bayh, a former Governor of Indiana has held some form of elected office since 1986. He almost became the running mate to President Obama but lost out to Joe Biden.

Bayh did leave open a return to politics of sorts saying "I am an executive" at heart which perhaps means a return to Indiana as Governor?