Indiana: Republicans are currently favored to hold on to this seat being vacated by Sen. Dan Coats at the end of this Congress. Eric Holcomb, Coats’ former chief of staff and a former state party chair, was the first to announce his candidacy and has Coats’ endorsement. U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman recently announced that he would also seek the GOP nod. Several other candidates are actively exploring bids. Democrats don’t have much of a bench here. They are hoping to entice former Sen. Evan Bayh into the race, but Bayh was frustrated in the Senate, making it hard to believe that he is itching to return. That said, he would be a formidable candidate if he does run. Former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill has also been mentioned as a potential candidate. Hill lost his seat in 2010 and has worked as a lobbyist since leaving Congress. Beyond these two candidates, the Democratic bench is thin. Democrats hope that a contested Republican primary provides an opening for them, but they will need to find a top-tier challenger first. Iowa: Polls consistently
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