Coats: Time has come to pass ‘demanding’ job to someone else

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Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2015 17:12

INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Sen. Dan Coats will not seek reelection in 2016 – a move that creates an open seat that could start a chain reaction of political moves in Indiana.

Coats said the decision not to run was difficult but he’s “concluded that the time has come to pass this demanding job to the next generation of leaders.”

The decision was met with accolades for Coats and speculation on social media about who might replace him.

Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, here speaking to the Indiana Senate in 2013, announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection. Photo by Lesley Weidenbener, TheStatehouseFile.com

“Anyone who’s anyone will and should take a look,” tweeted Republican strategist Cam Savage, who has worked in Indiana and Washington D.C.

He said those who say they know who is in or out of this race at this stage “is guessing.”

And Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, tweeted almost immediately that with Coats’ decision, the outlook for the race leans Republican. But he said that’s only if Democrat Evan Bayh – who previously held the seat – decides not to run.

“And I doubt he will,” Sabato said.

In fact, Bayh told the National Journal through a spokesman in January that he would not run. But that won’t stop the speculation, especially considering that Bayh has nearly $10 million sitting unused in a campaign account.

Among other Democrats who could consider running are former congressman Baron Hill, who has also expressed an interest in running for governor, and former gubernatorial nominee John Gregg.

The list of possible Republican candidates is long and includes Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and U.S. Reps. Todd Young, Marlin Stutzman, Todd Rokita and Susan Brooks.

Roger Wicker, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, issued a statement saying, “We have a strong Republican bench in Indiana and I am confident we will have another capable Republican joining us in the Senate in 2016 to continue Dan’s great work.”

Coats will be finishing up his second stint in Congress. He served from 1981-1999 before bowing out of a race against Bayh. The Democrat then served two terms before opting not to run again. Then Coats sought and won the seat again.

He also served as U.S. ambassador to Germany.

During his current term in the Senate, he serves on the Finance, Select Intelligence and Joint Economic committees. Coats is chairman of the bicameral Joint Economic Committee.

“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,” Coats said in a statement.

Republican Gov. Mike Pence said Coats will “bring to a close an extraordinary career in public service marked by humility, integrity, and a commitment to principled conservative leadership.”

“Through his long career in public service, whether it be his time in uniform, his service in the U.S. House and Senate or as our ambassador to Germany, few Hoosiers have made a greater contribution to our state or nation in public service than Sen. Dan Coats,” he said.

Young called Coats’ decision to retire a “huge loss for the state.”

“He has been a tireless advocate of conservative solutions on behalf of all Hoosiers,” he said. “He has been a tremendous leader within our congressional delegation, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all his help and support these past four years.”

Donnelly issues statement on Coats' retirement announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly released the following statement after fellow U.S. Sen. Dan Coats announced that he will retire at the end of his current term.

“It has been and will continue to be a pleasure working with the senior senator from Indiana, my friend, Dan Coats. He has spent decades serving his country, whether through his military service, in the U.S. House, as Ambassador, or in the U.S. Senate. During my time in Congress, I found Dan willing to roll up his sleeves and work across party lines to address issues important to Indiana, and I know we will continue to work well together through the remainder of his term. I wish him the best upon his retirement.”

Pence issues statement on Coats’ announcement not to seek re-election

INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mike Pence today issued the following statement upon learning that Sen. Dan Coats will not seek re-election in 2016.

"With his decision to retire from the United States Senate at the end of his current term, Senator Dan Coats will bring to a close an extraordinary career in public service marked by humility, integrity, and a commitment to principled conservative leadership. Through his long career in public service, whether it be his time in uniform, his service in the U.S. House and Senate or as our Ambassador to Germany, few Hoosiers have made a greater contribution to our state or nation in public service than Senator Dan Coats.

“While we greet this news with mixed emotions, we will always be grateful for the example, life and service of Senator Dan Coats and his family. We look forward to working with the Senator during the remainder of his term, and Karen and I wish Dan and Marsha every happiness upon his retirement."