Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN) announced on Tuesday that he has decided not to run for re-election.
The Indiana politics site Indy Politics reported the news on Tuesday, and said that Coats would not run for re-election in 2016.
Coats released a statement and taped a video on Facebook announcing his decision. The statement is below:
Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the United States Senate. This was not an easy decision. While I believe I am well-positioned to run a successful campaign for another six-year term, I have concluded that the time has come to pass this demanding job to the next generation of leaders.
Until the end of my Senate term, I pledge to my constituents that I will continue to focus all of my time and energy on the major challenges that Hoosiers sent me to Washington to address.
I am grateful to God and to Hoosiers who allowed me to serve my state and my country. I am particularly thankful for the unqualified support of my wife Marsha and our family. Regarding this decision, they were 100 percent in favor of whatever choice I would make.
Marsha and I look forward to continued engagement in Indiana in many other ways.
Knee jerk names mentioned by Democrats who could run for the seat include former Gov. Evan Bayh and former Rep. Baron Hill. National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Roger Wicker, in a statement, said that the GOP bench is “strong” in the state and he’s “confident we have another capable Republican joining us in the Senate in 2016 to continue Dan’s great work.”
Indy Politics listed Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, Reps. Todd Young, Marlin Stutzman, and Todd Rokita as possible contenders for Coats’ seat.
Here is Coats’ video announcement:
