Bayh ready for 2010 Senate race

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Democrat Evan Bayh will seek a third term in the United States Senate next year.

He enters the 2010 race as a strong favorite and fundraising numbers explain just how much of a disadvantage the Republicans face.

Evan Bayh will file paperwork on Wednesday showing that he has more than $12 million in campaign money on hand for his re-election bid.

State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker will oversee the campaign. Parker was asked if that made a statement.

"Well, it makes a statement that he's prepared to stand for re-election. He's taken every race he's ever been involved with seriously," said Parker.

Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe) said, "If we're going to commit ourselves to running we're going to commit ourselves to winning as well."

First term Sen. Stutzman is the only Republican raising money so far and his exploratory committee just got organized.

He has collected just $16,000, less than 1% of what Bayh has and has already spent much of it. Republicans know they can't catch Bayh in the money race but hope issues will work in their favor.

"You've got cap and trade which he'll probably vote for. You've got the trillion dollar health care package which he'll probably vote for with no way to pay for it and I think Hoosiers are paying attention to what Evan Bayh does," said GOP Spokesman Trevor Foughty.

"The federal government is large, it’s growing, especially under the current administration and that's disturbing to me," said Stutzman.

But the challenge in tackling Evan Bayh is also large and growing. The 2010 election is still 15 months away an already it could be getting away from the Republicans.

Two other Republicans, former state representative Dan Dumezich and businessman Will Weaver are still considering a Senate run.

The Bayh campaign finance report just might provide some negative reinforcement for them.