Another Week of Unexpected Retirement Announcements

The political establishment received another surprise with Senator Evan Bayh's (D-Ind.) announcement that he would not seek reelection in November. Bayh served in the Senate for two terms and is a former governor of Indiana. Often considered a moderate and swing vote, he supported repeal of the death tax crossed the party line on other issues as well. Bayh was facing a challenge by former Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) in the fall election. In addition, Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), announced that he would not seek reelection. With 257 days until the election, more retirements are expected.