Evan Bayh facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Evan Bayh
Official portrait, 2004

United States Senator from Indiana
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Dan Coats
Succeeded by	Dan Coats
46th Governor of Indiana
In office January 9, 1989 – January 13, 1997
Lieutenant	Frank O'Bannon
Preceded by	Robert Orr
Succeeded by	Frank O'Bannon
56th Secretary of State of Indiana
In office December 1, 1986 – January 9, 1989
Governor	Robert Orr
Preceded by	Edwin Simcox
Succeeded by	Joe Hogsett

Personal details
Born	Birch Evans Bayh III (1955-12-26) December 26, 1955 (age 69) Shirkieville, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Susan Bayh (m. 1985; died 2021)
Children	2
Parents	Birch Bayh (father) Marvella Bayh (mother)
Education	Indiana University, Bloomington (BS) University of Virginia (JD)
Signature

Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III was born on December 26, 1955. He is an American politician who has held several important jobs. He served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Later, he became a United States Senator for Indiana from 1999 to 2011.

Evan Bayh is a member of the Democratic Party. He is the son of former Senator Birch Bayh. His grandfather, also named Birch Bayh, was a basketball coach.

Bayh first entered public office in 1986 as the Secretary of State of Indiana. He held this job for two years. After that, he was elected Governor of Indiana. He served two terms as governor.

After leaving the governor's office, he taught at Indiana University Bloomington. In 1998, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He was reelected in 2004.

On February 15, 2010, Bayh announced he would not run for reelection to the Senate. After leaving the Senate, he worked with a law and consulting firm. He also became a senior adviser for a company called Apollo Global Management. From 2011 to 2016, he was a part-time contributor for Fox News.

In 2016, Bayh decided to run for his old Senate seat again. However, he was defeated by Todd Young in the election. In 2022, President Joe Biden asked Bayh to join the President's Intelligence Advisory Board.

Evan Bayh's Early Life and Family

Evan Bayh with his father Birch and mother Marvella during his father's 1962 Senate campaign

Evan Bayh was born in Shirkieville, Indiana. His parents were Marvella Bayh and Birch E. Bayh Jr. His father was a U.S. Senator from 1963 to 1981.

Evan Bayh with his father and his young sons

Evan Bayh with his late wife and sons in the early-2000s

Evan Bayh went to St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.. He earned a degree in business administration from Indiana University Bloomington in 1978. He then got his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1981.

Bayh and his late wife, Susan Bayh, had twin sons named Birch Evans IV (Beau) and Nicholas. Susan Bayh was a law professor and served on company boards. She passed away in 2021.

Evan Bayh is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Evan Bayh's Time in Indiana Politics

As governor, Evan Bayh helped pass a large tax cut for Indiana.

Evan Bayh first became the Secretary of State of Indiana in 1986. This was his first elected job.

In 1988, he ran for Governor of Indiana. He won the election, becoming the first Democrat to be governor in 20 years. At 32 years old, he was the youngest governor in the country at that time.

He was re-elected as governor in 1992. By the end of his second term, many people approved of his work. He could not run for a third term because of term limits.

After being governor, he taught at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington. He also worked at a law firm in Indianapolis.

Evan Bayh's Work in the U.S. Senate

Evan Bayh takes the oath of office for his first term in the Senate, joined by his late wife and sons.

Evan Bayh's 2004 re-election campaign logo

In 1998, Evan Bayh was elected to the U.S. Senate. This was the same seat his father once held. He won with a large number of votes.

He was easily reelected in 2004. He became one of only five Indiana Democrats to be elected to a second term in the Senate.

In 2003, Bayh wrote a book about his life called From Father to Son: A Private Life in the Public Eye.

From 2001 to 2005, Bayh led the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He also helped create groups like the Senate Centrist Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition. These groups focus on moderate political ideas.

Bayh supported the Bush administration's policies on Iraq. He voted to allow the Iraq War in 2002. He also voted to renew the Patriot Act in 2006.

Evan Bayh speaking with President Barack Obama on Air Force One in 2009

During the Financial crisis of 2007–2008, Bayh supported efforts to help U.S. financial institutions. He said that leaders felt they had to act to prevent a collapse.

Leaving the Senate

On February 15, 2010, Evan Bayh announced he would not seek another term in the Senate. This decision came just before the deadline for candidates to file. Because of this, the state party had to choose a new candidate for the election.

Senate Committees

While in the Senate, Evan Bayh served on several important committees:

Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Airland
- Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support (chairman)
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
- Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment
- Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance (chairman)
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Energy
- Subcommittee on National Parks
- Subcommittee on Water and Power
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Select Committee on Intelligence
Special Committee on Aging

Evan Bayh and the 2008 Presidential Election

Evan Bayh in New Hampshire during his campaign

Evan Bayh with Hillary Clinton during her campaign

In late 2006, Evan Bayh considered running for President in 2008. He announced he would not run in December 2006. He later supported Hillary Clinton for president.

Evan Bayh speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Bayh said he would accept an offer to be Barack Obama's running mate. Some reports said it was a close decision between Bayh and Joe Biden for the Vice President spot.

Evan Bayh's Career After the Senate

Evan Bayh speaking at an event during the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

After leaving the U.S. Senate, Evan Bayh continued to be involved in politics. He campaigned for Senator Joe Donnelly in 2012.

Evan Bayh with Haley Barbour in 2013.

He also worked with lobbying firms and served on corporate boards. His wealth increased significantly after he left public office.

Evan Bayh's 2016 Senate Campaign

Evan Bayh's 2016 campaign logo.

In July 2016, Evan Bayh announced he would run for his old U.S. Senate seat in Indiana. The Democratic candidate who had already won the primary election stepped aside for Bayh.

During the campaign, there were questions about whether Bayh lived in Indiana full-time. He said he voted in every election and was an active voter in Indiana.

Evan Bayh was defeated by Republican Representative Todd Young in the November election. This was his first election loss in his home state.

Evan Bayh's Political Views

Agriculture

Bayh supported the 2002 Farm Bill. This bill provided money to help rural communities. It helped fund water and waste systems and technology for people in rural areas.

Capital Punishment

As Governor of Indiana, Evan Bayh supported capital punishment.

Civil Rights

Evan Bayh has a mixed record on civil rights, but generally leans left. He voted to continue some affirmative action programs in 1998. He also voted to include sexual orientation under hate crime laws in 2000 and 2002. In 2006, he voted against an amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Climate Change

Bayh has expressed concern about climate change. However, he also believes that cheap energy is important for Indiana's factories. He voted for a cap-and-trade bill in 2008. In 2010, he voted to prevent the EPA from controlling greenhouse gas pollution.

Economy

Evan Bayh has spoken about the economy. He said that President Bush's tax plans could harm the economy. He believed they would lead to more debt and higher interest rates.

Environment

Voted against stopping the use of eminent domain for parks or grazing land in 2007.
Voted to include oil and gas smokestacks in mercury rules in 2005.
Received a good rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2003, showing he often voted for environmental protection.
Voted against confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior in 2001.
Voted against more money for forest roads and fish habitats in 1999.
Voted to make laws against animal fighting stronger in 2007.

Health Care

Bayh introduced a bill to help people get their medicines under the Medicare program. He also proposed laws to lower health insurance costs for small businesses and individuals. He voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010.

Israel

He is a member of AIPAC's advisory committee, a group that supports strong U.S.-Israel relations.

Iran

In 2006, Evan Bayh spoke about the government of Iran. He called their leaders "radical" and "delusional." He mentioned their denial of the Holocaust and support for terrorism.

Bayh introduced a bill in 2006 to put sanctions on Iran. The goal was to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Iraq

Evan Bayh supported the idea of removing Saddam Hussein from power. He believed it was important for humanitarian reasons.

In 2002, Bayh supported the resolution that allowed the Iraq War. However, in 2006, he criticized how the war was handled. He said focusing on Iraq instead of Osama bin Laden was a big mistake.

Trade

During his time in the Senate, Bayh criticized the trade policies of some countries, like China. He supported a bill to help the United States enforce its anti-subsidy laws. He voted against CAFTA, a trade agreement.

Bayh also held up the President's choice for U.S. Trade Representative. He released his hold after getting promises to be tough on China trade.

Images for kids

Evan Bayh shakes the hand of a Marine while visiting Iraq in January 2006.