Brad Ellsworth, Indiana Blue Dog, Enters Senate Race To Succeed Bayh

Rep. Brad Ellsworth, the two-term Democrat from southwest Indiana widely expected to be his party's nominee to succeed retiring Sen. Evan Bayh, made it official today:

After many conversations with Hoosiers this week, and with the love and support of my family, I have decided to run for the U.S. Senate.

The best years of my life are the more than two decades I spent in the local Sheriff's department. Sheriff is a job that comes down to protecting families from harm, helping folks solve their problems or resolve their disputes, and just being willing to put your fellow citizens' best interests ahead of your own. When I look at the U.S. Senate these days, I sure think they could use more folks with those same qualities. And that's something I hope I could bring to the U.S. Senate -- an independent voice to help Indiana through these tough economic times, and get things done for everyday folks who are really struggling.

Ellsworth is a pro-life, pro-gun Blue Dog Democrat who knocked off Rep. John Hostettler (R) by 22 points in 2006. Before coming to Congress, he was a popular county sheriff who focused on local drug abuse.

Rep. Baron Hill (D-9th CD), currently out of the country, is also a potential Senate candidate, but sources say the party has all but decided on Ellsworth.

Hostettler and former Sen. Dan Coats are among five Republicans already in the race. Coats is considered the favorite but he's been out of office since 1998, when he quit the Senate rather than face the popular Bayh. But while the GOP candidates have to endure a May 4 primary, Bayh's late move enables the State Democratic Central Committee to choose its nominee -- and thus avoiding a potentially expensive and divisive primary -- which has angered Republicans in the state. State law, however, dictates that the Dems can't officially name their candidate until after the primary.