CNN: Hill says he has support for Senate bid and expects to make decision soon

From the Seymour Tribune:

CNN reports today that Indiana 9th District Rep. Baron Hill said he's talking to Democratic state officials about whether to pursue a campaign to replace outgoing Sen. Evan Bayh.

"Hill acknowledged his House colleague Brad Ellsworth, who announced last week he was running for Bayh's seat, has some support, but said he has received encouragement as well," CNN reports online.

"A lot of people are undecided on the state committee. Some are favoring me. Some are favoring Brad," Hill told CNN.

The Seymour Democrat was in Afghanistan when Bayh made his surprise announcement last week that he would retire in November and not seek re-election to a third term. Hill said a decision on his own political plans will come in the next few days.

"I think I have to make it sooner rather than later. I think I need to make it this week," Hill said.

The Indiana Democratic Party's Central Committee will select the party's senate candidate, since no candidate filed the needed signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. The committee must wait until after the May 4 primary to select their candidate.

Demcoratic State Central Vommittee member Jeanette Hackman, chairwoman of the Jackson County Democratic Party, said Tuesday she knows Hill is interested but has not spoken with him.

Hill and Hackman differed on their choice for a Democratic presidential nominee in 2008, with Hill endorsing Barack Obama and Hackman endorsing Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Would Hackman support a Hill bid for the Senate?

"Baron would be a good candidate" she said Tuesday. "I haven't talked to him though, so I don't know what he's going to do. If he chooses to throw his hat into the ring, there will be upport for him from the 9th District, I'm sure."

Hackman is on the state committee as the 9th District vice chair. The 9th District chairman is Mike Jones of Switzerland County. Both are among the 32 members of the state central committee.