Dan Coats says he's met Indiana ballot deadline

By MIKE SMITH, AP Political Writer

Former Indiana Senator Dan Coats (R) is considering running against Senator Evan Bayh (D). (WRTV File Photo)

By Jason Overholt

Story Created: Feb 16, 2010 at 10:20 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats' campaign says it has enough petition signatures to put him on Indiana's May primary ballot as he seeks the Senate seat Democrat Evan Bayh is leaving.

Coats spokesman Kevin Kellems said today that Hoosiers had responded with "tremendous enthusiasm" in helping gather the required 4,500 signatures since Coats announced his campaign Feb. 3.

Coats and other candidates face a deadline today to submit their petition signatures to county officials.

State Sen. Marlin Stutzman of Howe has set a news conference today to announce his filing.

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