Bayh not running for governor in 2016; could open door for Hammond mayor

In a statement released Friday, the two-term former governor and U.S. senator said despite much encouragement from Hoosiers to seek a return to the office he held from 1989-97, Bayh believes someone else deserves the chance to lead Indiana.

"After serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for governor in 2016," Bayh said. "I hope that my decision will enable others to step forward and offer their ideas for making Indiana an even better place to live, work and raise a family."

Bayh promised to remain involved in Indiana politics and public service. Just two months ago, he agreed to lead a CIA review of intelligence agency spying on U.S. Senate computers.

"There are many ways to help people and serve the public, and I look forward to pursuing them in the days and years to come," Bayh said. "Susan, Beau and Nick join me in expressing our profound gratitude to the many Hoosiers who have blessed us with their friendship and support."

State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, who met with Bayh Wednesday prior to Bayh's speech at the One Region luncheon in Merrillville, and pressed him to make a decision on his future, said it is regrettable Bayh won't run for governor because his enduring popularity could have helped Democratic legislative candidates across the state.

"I'm still hoping that he will be a boost, be visible and financially involved in the efforts to get a Democrat in the governor's office," Brown said.

The former U.S. senator, who chose not to seek a third term in 2010, still has nearly $10 million remaining in his federal campaign fund, which he could give -- without restriction -- to candidates for state office.

Bayh's decision to skip the 2016 governor's race reopens a Democratic primary field that largely stood down while Bayh was considering a run, and enables Republican Gov. Mike Pence to perhaps breathe a sigh of relief since he won't be running against Bayh for re-election.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., who put his plans to run for governor on hold while waiting for Bayh to act, said Bayh's announcement forces him to reconsider his decision only to run next year for a fourth term as mayor.

"If Evan was running for governor, I wasn't planning on running against Evan," McDermott said. "Now that he's made that decision not to, obviously I need to go back to the drawing board, get my family together, get my team together and reconsider everything."

McDermott said at this point he still is planning on running for re-election as mayor, which he described as "a job I love" and "the best job the city can offer."

But, he added that after 11 years in the mayor's office he's also interested in looking at other opportunities to serve.

"Things are changing quickly and I'm young and I'm flexible and I've just got to ride the wave and see where it takes me," McDermott said.

The former chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party believes he is well-positioned to prevail in a gubernatorial primary contest, since Hoosier Democrats mostly are concentrated in northern and central Indiana.

He said his two likely opponents, 2012 nominee John Gregg and former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-Seymour, probably would split Democratic votes from their shared southern Indiana turf.