Bayh says fellow Democrat Ellsworth is right person to replace him in US Senate from Indiana

Bayh: Ellsworth right choice for Ind. Senate seat

INDIANAPOLIS — Retiring Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is describing Democrat Rep. Brad Ellsworth as an independent, moderate candidate who is the right fit to replace him in the Senate.

Ellsworth is facing Republican former Sen. Dan Coats in the Nov. 2 election. Bayh joined Ellsworth on Friday for their first trip together of the Senate campaign.

The centrist image Bayh paints of Ellsworth is far from the picture the Coats campaign has been trying to portray. Coats on Friday launched his third general election ad, saying Ellsworth voted in “lock-step with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama” on the stimulus plan, health care overhaul and budget.

Bayh has contributed $1 million from his campaign account to help the state Democratic Party in its quest to hold on to the Senate seat.

Associated Press Writer Tom Coyne in South Bend contributed to this report.