Evan Bayh

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Senator Evan Bayh is a people’s politician with a reputation for breaking from party lines and working to provide Americans with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. The two-term Indiana governor and two-term U.S. Senator was described by the Indianapolis Star as, “more concerned with reflecting what he believes is right for Indiana citizens than playing with the Beltway crowd,” and he proves this to be more than just rhetoric.

Bayh’s signature legislative efforts have aimed at strengthening our national security, creating more jobs through the growth of small business, protecting American workers from unfair trade practices, and providing tax-relief for families. As the Governor of Indiana, Bayh established the state as one of the nation’s strongest economies. As a member of the Senate committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the chairman of the Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance, he has had hands-on experience with our nation’s economic struggles. Bayh is also currently a contributor on the Fox News Channel.

Highly Accomplished Hoosier. Senator Bayh was born in Shirkieville, Indiana. He graduated with honors in business economics from Indiana University in 1978, and received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1981. After clerking for a federal court judge and entering private law practice in Indianapolis, he was elected Indiana’s Secretary of State in 1986, the first of Bayh’s five statewide victories. As governor, Bayh’s achievements included eight years without raising taxes; the greatest single tax cut and largest budget surplus in state history; increased spending for schools; high academic standards; and new college opportunities for all. Under his leadership, Indiana added more than 350,000 jobs; implemented tougher criminal laws; and improved its environment.

As senator, Bayh served on six Senate Committees: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Armed Services; Energy and Natural Resources; the Select Committee on Intelligence; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and the Special Committee on Aging. From his work to help stimulate the economy through job creation and small business growth to leading the fight to ensure our nation’s wounded soldiers receive the high-quality care they need, Senator Bayh has provided laser-focused leadership on a wide range of important issues facing the nation.

Senator Bayh also authored From Father to Son, an autobiography about the importance of family and how being the son of a civil servant shaped his values.

Consensus Builder. While some have been content to let partisanship continue to threaten progress on the nation’s most pressing issues, Bayh has continued to look for ways to build consensus and do what’s right for Americans. In January 2005, he spearheaded the creation of the Third Way, an organization focused on common sense legislative solutions on issues that would otherwise remain bogged down in political turf wars. Bayh also served for more than four years as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, which offers support to elected officials and community leaders who take a progressive approach to the issues facing the country.