Sen. Evan Bayh not seeking re-election in 2010

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - In a decision that has taken Republicans and Democrats by surprise Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2010.

Bayh's decision comes on the day when Democratic party officials planned to file the petitions necessary to get his name on the May primary ballot.

24-Hour News 8 political reporter Jim Shella says the first notification of the decision went out on Saturday to Democratic insiders. But, Shella says, some of Bayh’s closest friends did not get word until Monday morning.

The Senator says the Senate is no longer a place where he can accomplish his goals.

"After all these years, my passion for service to my fellow citizens is undiminished, but my desire to do so by serving in Congress has waned," Bayh says in the statement prepared for his news conference Monday.

Bayh Continues “My decision was not motivated by political concern. Even in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election. Five times over the last 24 years, I have been honored by the people of Indiana with electoral success. But running for the sake of winning an election, just to remain in public office, is not good enough. And it has never been what motivates me.”

"To put it in 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. I will not, therefore, be a candidate for election to the Senate this November."

Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats announced his intentions to run against Bayh in early February, when Bayh was said to have had $13 million in his campaign war chest. Early polls suggested Bayh had a double-digit lead over the former senator.

Last week, Don Bates, Jr. of Richmond filed 6,000 petition signatures to become the first candidate for U.S. Senate to qualify for the ballot.

Bayh's decision not to run leaves the Democratic party scrambling to find a candidate for the Ballot.

Bayh was elected to the first of his two terms as U.S. Senator in 1998. He was re-elected in 2004. Prior to his tenure in the Senate, Bayh served two terms as Governor. Bayh became well know while serving as Secretary of State of Indiana. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Bayh’s name surfaced along with Joseph Biden’s for possible candidates for vice president.

24-Hour News 8's political reporter Jim Shella asked, "Have you abandoned those sorts of aspirations?"

Bayh responded, "Oh, I don't think running for President or Vice President is in my future at this moment."