Rep. Hill will not seek nod to fill Bayh's seat

Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.) will not enter the race to replace Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) this fall, his campaign confirmed Saturday. 

Hill, a Blue Dog leader, issued a statement saying that he wants to continue to represent his district.

"My focus has been, and will remain, on fulfilling my job as the congressman from Southern Indiana and continuing to address the most pressing issues our nation and great state face, like deficit reduction, health care reform, energy independence and entitlement spending," he said.

The five term congressman's decision means Blue Dog Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) sits as the top contender to take his party's nomination. 

The Indiana state Democratic committee will select its nominee in June.