Southern Indiana Democrats surprised by Bayh announcement

Clark County

Discussion

February 15, 2010

By DAVID A. MANN The News and Tribune Mon Feb 15, 2010, 08:07 PM EST

Local officials were as surprised as everyone else about Sen. Evan Bayh’s announced departure from politics Monday.

“I was shocked,” New Albany Mayor Doug England said of Bayh’s decision to not run for re-election. “I was mayor when he was governor and we became really good friends.”

“He was a good governor and a good senator,” said Greg Isgrigg, president of the Clarksville Town Council and a fellow Democrat.

He first heard about Bayh’s decision when a reporter called to get comment on the matter.

“He’s liked by the Democrats and the Republicans. I hate to see him go,” Isgrigg said.

Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan, a Democrat, said he too was surprised by the announcement, calling it a very important office.

“He’s been as helpful as he can be,” said Galligan, who noted that Bayh was against earmarks, so he didn’t normally work with city government on federal funding matters.

Bayh is in his second six-year term in the Senate. He first came to office in 1998, just after vacating the Indiana governor’s office. His father, Birch Bayh, also served as a U.S. senator, starting in 1962.

“To put it in the words most Hoosiers can understand: I love working for the people of Indiana, I love helping our citizens make the most of their lives, but I do not love Congress,” Bayh said in a prepared statement that was obtained by The Associated Press prior to the afternoon announcement in Indianapolis.

“He has to have some reason not to run,” England, a Democrat, mused. “I think it has something to do with the lack of faith people have at the national level.

“I know something of what he is feeling,” England continued. “When you know in your heart you are doing your best and are still criticized, you just want to say here, you take it. I hate to see good people like him getting out of government.”

The announcement came just a few days before the filing deadline for the May primary. And, said Indiana political columnist Brian Howey, a senate candidate needs 500 signatures from each congressional district in order to file to run. After that, the Democratic Central Committee has until June 30 to name a candidate.

“This was an 8.0 on the Richter scale,” Howey said of the impact of the announcement. “This is huge. It completely reshapes Indiana politics.”

He said he’s heard a number of names tossed out as replacement candidates: Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson as well as 8th District Rep. Brad Ellsworth or 2nd District Rep. Joe Donnelly.

Even Indiana 9th District Rep. Baron Hill, who represents Clark and Floyd counties, has been mentioned as a possible candidate, Howey said.

Hill was out of the country on a military-related trip Monday, according to spokeswoman Katie Moreau. She said he would not be available for comment.