Ellsworth to run for Bayh's seat

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Congressman Brad Ellsworth said Friday he will run for Sen. Evan Bayh's soon to be vacated seat.

Ellsworth made the announcement in his hometown of Evansville.

The two-term congressman stated only that it was his "intention to run for the Senate of the United States," without elaborating, before he walked into a town hall meeting.

Friday morning, WISH-TV political reporter, Jim Shella reported State Representative Trent Van Haaften (D-Mt. Vernon) gave a strong indication that Congressman Brad Ellsworth would run for the Senate.

Van Haaften filed for Ellsworth’s seat in the 8th District, saying that he won’t run against his friend.

Van Haaften said Ellsworth would have to speak for himself.

Ellsworth emerged as a leading Democratic choice after Bayh's surprise announcement Monday.

The 51-year-old former lawman is considered an attractive candidate because he won by big margins in both his campaigns his largely rural congressional district in southwestern Indiana after eight years as sheriff of the district's largest county.