Evan Bayh

Evan Bayh is a former United States Senator from Indiana, serving from 1999 to 2011. He was the Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997, and the Secretary of State of Indiana from 1987 to 1989. Bayh is the son of former United States Senator Birch Bayh, who served from 1963 to 1981, and was a key figure in the passage of the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Bayh's political career has been influenced by his family's legacy, including his father's work with Ted Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

● Early life and education

Evan Bayh was born in Shirkieville, Indiana, and grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he attended Terre Haute North Vigo High School. He then went on to study at Indiana University Bloomington, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. Bayh later attended University of Virginia Law School, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1981. During his time at law school, Bayh was influenced by the work of Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and he clerked for Judge James L. Oakes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Bayh's education also included a stint at Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar alongside Bill Clinton and Bob Kerrey.

● Career

Before entering politics, Bayh worked as a lawyer at the Indianapolis law firm of Baker & Daniels, where he practiced corporate law and environmental law. He also worked as a lobbyist for the Indiana State Teachers Association and the Indiana AFL-CIO. Bayh's early career was influenced by his work with Senator Birch Bayh and Representative Lee Hamilton, and he later worked with Governor Robert D. Orr and Mayor William H. Hudnut III. In 1986, Bayh was elected as the Secretary of State of Indiana, serving under Governor Evan Bayh's predecessor, Governor Robert D. Orr. During his time as Secretary of State, Bayh worked closely with Senator Richard Lugar and Representative Dan Burton.

● Senate career

Bayh was elected to the United States Senate in 1998, defeating Paul Helmke in the general election. During his time in the Senate, Bayh served on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Senate Committee on Intelligence. He worked closely with Senator Joe Biden and Senator Chuck Hagel on issues related to foreign policy and national security. Bayh was also a member of the Senate Centrist Coalition, a bipartisan group of senators that included Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Susan Collins. In 2004, Bayh was considered as a potential running mate for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election, but ultimately was not selected.

● Post-Senate career

After leaving the Senate in 2011, Bayh joined the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm McGuireWoods, where he practices government relations and public policy. He has also worked as a Fox News contributor, appearing alongside Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly. In 2016, Bayh ran for the Senate again, but lost to Todd Young in the general election. During his campaign, Bayh was endorsed by Barack Obama and Joe Donnelly, and he worked closely with Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Harry Reid.

● Personal life

Bayh is married to Susan Bayh, a former Duke University trustee and a WellPoint board member. The couple has two sons, Beau Bayh and Nick Bayh. Bayh is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Indianapolis and has served on the board of the Indiana University Foundation. He has also been involved with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the Trilateral Commission, and has worked with Henry Kissinger and Brent Scowcroft on issues related to international relations. Bayh has received awards from the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and has been recognized for his work on veterans' issues by Senator John McCain and Senator Lindsey Graham.