Pence to consider Senate run over weekend

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Republican Mike Pence will use the weekend to decide whether to challenge Democrat Evan Bayh in this year's race for U.S. Senate.

Some of the factors Pence is considering can be found in a Wall Street Journal editorial that includes polling information that Republican leaders shared with Pence in a meeting Thursday.

The GOP poll found that Bayh's approval rating has dropped 25% in recent months to about 50%.

Pence, meantime, says personal ambition won't play a role in his decision, though he says he's humbled by the encouragement to seek higher office.

It included the meeting with the Republican Senate Campaign Committee.

He called the Garrison Show on conservative talk radio Friday morning to explain it saying, "It was a good meeting and Karen (his wife) and I are we just decided to take the weekend and give the matter prayerful consideration."

If Pence says yes, it will set up a heavyweight matchup between him and two-term Democrat Evan Bayh.

Four Republicans are already seeking to challenge Bayh, but Pence would present an opponent of a different caliber.

State Democratic Chairman Dan Parker said, "It doesn't matter who the opponent is." But when challenged said, "Well, when you have $13 million in the bank and you're prepared you can define the race how you want it to be defined."

Sen. Bayh already plans to begin television advertising next month while Pence ponders.

"We're going to take a hard look at that opportunity," said Pence. "But I also want to say that what we're really trying to determine where we can best serve our constituents, our conservative values, and the country in 2010."

Pence will need to make up his mind in a hurry because February 16, 2010 is the deadline to file 4,500 petition signatures, 500 per congressional district.