WTHR the NBC affliate in Indianapolis is reporting the Congressman Baron Hill will remain in the race to keep his 9th District House of Representatives seat and will not challenge for the Senate seat that will open with the retirement of Senator Evan Bayh.
Congressman Hill, who has not ruled out a 2012 run for Governor of Indiana had been speculated to challenge Congressman Brad Ellsworth of Indiana's 8th District and others for the Democratic party nomination for this year's Senate election.
The nominee will be chosen by the 32 member State Party Central Committee sometime after the May 4th primary.
Here is Congressman Hill's statement:
"Last week I was visiting our brave men and women fighting on the front lines of the War on Terror in Afghanistan.
Although overseas, I did receive a call from Senator Bayh regarding his announcement not to seek reelection. Evan has been a devoted public servant to Hoosiers and a fellow companion in pushing for Congress to curb its reckless spending.
And while I agree with him that the partisanship in Washington is alarming, to reference my athletic past - I opt to stay in the game and continue to serve as an independent voice for my Southern Indiana constituents.
Because I was away and trying to process this news while focusing on the task at hand - hearing from our troops what they are experiencing in Afghanistan - I took some needed time this week to thoughtfully reflect upon what had transpired.
I would like to thank all those whose honest input I sought, including members of the Indiana Democratic Party's Central Committee and folks from the Ninth District. While seeking such input, however, I kept my focus on working for the people of the Ninth District of Indiana, evidenced by my meetings with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood regarding local infrastructure projects.
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.
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. 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."
