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Van Haaften seeking Ellsworth's seat

By Becky Graham - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email

EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) - There is a lot of shifting going on in Indiana politics following Evan Bayh's stunning announcement this week.

Friday, Congressman Brad Ellsworth said he's in the race for Bayh's seat.

Saturday, State Representative Trent Van Haaften declared he'll run for Ellsworth's seat.

District 76 State Representative Trent Van Haaften called Brad Ellsworth the best congressman in Indiana, and that's why the state representative said he never considered running for his seat, but things changed Wednesday when he learned Ellsworth could be headed to the U.S. Senate.

"This was nowhere on my radar screen," Van Haaften said.

Saturday, in front of the press, family, and fellow public servants, State Representative Trent Van Haaften announced he will run for U.S. Congress this November.

"He was one of the brightest minds in the Indiana legislature," State Senator Bob Deig said. "I think he will make a great congressman for our district."

"I am so proud to be a Democrat in south western Indiana today," Patty Avery, who's running for State Senate, said.

Since being notified Wednesday, Brad Ellsworth will run for Evan Bayh's U.S. Senate seat, Van Haaften spent the last few days in hiding, discussing the open 8th district seat with his wife Beverly and several colleagues.

He said coming to his decision was tough.

If he ran, he would be spending less time at home and more time serving the public, but Friday the Van Haaftens decided to make it official.

Van Haaften said the campaigning will begin almost immediately.

His first order of business is getting to know as many people in the 8th district as possible.

From there, he said he'll brush up on his knowledge of national issues.

"At the state level you are focusing on the state issues," Van Haaften said. "Now, hovering above that is the issues that we face in terms of jobs, health care concerns, and friends or enemies of this country."

Van Haaften is the only Democrat on the ticket, but told the public he expects the competition to be fierce with eight Republicans running against him.

At Saturday's press conference, current State Senator Bob Deig also announced he will run for District 76 State Representative and Patty Avery will run for District 49 State Senator.

In fact, Avery is now the lone Democratic candidate.

Evansville City Council President BJ Watts has pulled out of that race.

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