Former Sen. Bayh says he'll seek Indiana Senate seat again

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Democrat Evan Bayh launched a bid Wednesday to recapture the Indiana Senate seat he left six years ago, a move that boosts his party's chances to pick up the Republican-held seat in their effort to regain control of the chamber this fall.

Hill was not considered a strong candidate to take on GOP nominee U.S. Rep. Todd Young, who was backed by Republican establishment figures in the state's May primary against a tea party favorite.

National Democrats pushed for Bayh to enter the race, where he will have advantages of name identification and campaign cash over Young.

Since word of Bayh's candidacy emerged on Monday, Republicans have attacked Bayh for remaining in Washington, where he has been a partner at the McGuireWoods law firm and joined several corporate boards since leaving the Senate.

Democrats need to net four or five seats to win back Senate control — four if they hang onto the White House and can send the vice president to break ties in the Senate; five if they don't.