Indiana Politics

Insiders could pick Senate, governor candidates

(AP)  Indiana political insiders could soon be picking candidates in the races for U.S. Senate and governor.

Democratic Senate nominee Baron Hill announced Monday he is withdrawing from the race as Democratic officials say former Sen. Evan Bayh is expected to make another run for Senate. He retired in 2010 following two terms.

Hill’s decision comes as Republican Gov. Mike Pence is considered a leading candidate to be Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate. Under state law Pence would have to withdraw from his bid for re-election by noon Friday if chosen by Trump and would be replaced on the ballot by the party.

The Democratic and Republican state committees would have 30 days to select new candidates.

The Indiana Democratic committee made a similar selection in 2010 after Bayh dropped his Senate re-election campaign just days before the filing deadline, leaving too little time for another candidate to qualify for the primary ballot.