Rokita to seek House re-election, pass on Senate campaign

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita says he will run for re-election to his current office next year, foregoing a bid for the U.S. Senate seat being given up by the GOP’s Dan Coats.

Rokita is a former Indiana secretary of state who first won election in the state’s 4th Congressional District in 2010. He said Wednesday that many people had encouraged him to enter the Senate race, but decided he wanted to continue his work as vice chairman of the House Budget Committee.

U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman and former Indiana Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb have announced bids for the 2016 Republican Senate nomination, with U.S. Rep. Todd Young also considering a candidacy. Former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill is the only declared Democratic candidate.