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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on developments in the Indiana U.S. Senate campaign (all times local):
2 p.m.
Republicans say former Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh's late entry into the Indiana U.S. Senate race is an example of what people see as a rigged system in Washington.
Republican Senate candidate Todd Young calls Bayh a lobbyist during his time since leaving the Senate in 2010 and that he's part of the problem in Washington.
Bayh announced Wednesday he would seek to become the Democratic candidate against Young to replace GOP Sen. Dan Coats, who is retiring.
Bayh has been a Washington lawyer and member of several corporate boards since not seeking a third Senate term. Bayh says he's never been a lobbyist and that the campaign shouldn't be about politicians trying to tear each other down.
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1 p.m.
Former U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh says a recruitment push by national Democrats didn't sway his decision to try and recapture the Indiana Senate seat he left six years ago.
Bayh announced Wednesday that he would seek to make the political comeback in a move that boosts his party's chances of regaining Senate control from Republicans this fall.
Bayh tells The Associated Press he chose to enter the Senate race because the gridlock in Washington is even worse than it was in 2010 and that he wants to help bridge the partisan divide.
The Indiana Democratic state committee will have to confirm Bayh as the party's nominee in the coming weeks to challenge U.S. Rep. Todd Young, the Republican candidate to replace GOP Sen. Dan Coats, who is retiring.
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10:50 a.m.
Former Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh is launching a bid to again represent Indiana in the U.S. Senate.
Bayh announced Wednesday that he would seek to make the political comeback. Two days earlier, former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill cleared the way by withdrawing as the Democratic nominee.
Bayh complained of the partisanship and gridlock when he left the Senate in 2010, but says he "can no longer sit on the sidelines."
Bayh's return boosts the chances of Democrats to win the seat held by Republican Sen. Dan Coats, who is retiring.
National Democrats pushed for Bayh to enter the race, seeing him as having a better chance to defeat GOP candidate U.S. Rep. Todd Young as Democrats seek to gain the four or five seats they need to win Senate control.
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