INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ind. Gov. Evan Bayh made it official Wednesday morning, announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate.
“With the challenges facing Indiana and our country, I can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch as partisan bickering grinds Washington to a halt," Bayh said. "Hoosier families deserve more and I’ve decided to run to take their cause to the U.S. Senate."
On Monday, Baron Hill dropped out of the race, opening up a spot for Bayh.
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Bayh was governor from 1989-1997.
Read Bayh's full statement below:
“With the challenges facing Indiana and our country, I can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch as partisan bickering grinds Washington to a halt. Hoosier families deserve more and I’ve decided to run to take their cause to the U.S. Senate.
“It’s time for Indiana common sense – the principle that guided my work as Governor, when we crossed the aisle to cut taxes, reform welfare and create a scholarship program to help Hoosier families afford college. It’s how we supported our veterans and worked with business leaders to help create jobs, all while balancing the budget and building a surplus to protect taxpayers. It’s why I support a Constitutional amendment to balance the budget, fought in the Senate to cut red tape for small businesses and took on China to combat their unfair trade practices that take away our jobs. It wasn’t easy and there were immense frustrations but it's not enough to just hope things get better.
“One of the reasons I decided to retire was to spend more time with my twin boys and my wife. I am proud of that decision and cherish the time I’ve had with them. Now, I see their future – and all of Indiana’s future – put at risk by a broken political system. I’ll work every day to put progress ahead of partisanship and to earn the support of Hoosiers so that we can get back to getting things done for Indiana.”
