Craig Dunn, the Howard County GOP Chairman, reports that Richmond banker Don Bates, Jr. has the signatures necessary to get on the ballot for U.S. Senate.

Dunn says Bates will file them with the Elections Division on Thursday.

Meantime, another GOP candidate, Marlin Stutzman, has slated a news conference for tomorrow.  Will he be the first to qualify for the ballot?

Look for Dan Coats to clear up any confusion about his plans to run for U.S. Senate  against Evan Bayh with a statement this afternoon.  A formal announcement next week is anticipated by Republican insiders.

Democrats take it seriously as they are already attacking the Coats record (including his votes in Virginia as recently as November),  though Bayh is the last guy to challenge someone on residency requirements.

State Senate Leader David Long, meantime, made it clear he is still for Marlin Stutzman in the GOP primary, so while this may no longer be confusing, it is complicated, even if Coats can make the signature requirement to get on the ballot.  It will be tough.

Marlin Stutzman has a TV ad running already in the 2010 race for U.S. Senate.   The Republican makes reference to an empty suit without ever mentioning Evan Bayh by name.

The ad is running on some cable outlets and a few broadcast stations so it qualifies as a real ad.  Chances are it will have more viewers and a greater effect on the Internet, however.  The obvious goals for Stutzman are  boosting name ID, but more importantly jumpstarting fundraising.  He might also chase off a potential primary challenge or two if he’s lucky.

The negative start is interesting.

538.com has a list of Senate seats likely to change party hands next year.  Evan Bayh is 33rd on the list of 38, in other words the seat is not likely to go Republican.

Nevertheless, Marlin Stutzman is out campaigning full-time in a rented charter bus (with Michigan license plates.)

Stutzman looks like the most likely GOP nominee at this point.  What’s he’s doing and how voters respond on 24 Hour News 8 this evening.

State Senator Marlin Stutzman sent out a Facebook posting tonight to announce that he has an exploratory committee established to run for U.S. Senate. 

The Howe Republican wanted to announce in May, waited because of the Special Session, and clearly feels he can’t wait any more.  Taking on Evan Bayh is more than a notion.

Former GOP state Representative Dan Dumezich has been laying some groundwork for a run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and suddenly, a couple of other Republicans are also looking at the opportunity to take on Democrat Evan Bayh in an off year election.

State Senator Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe) says he will make a decision on a run in May.

A businessman who is a political novice (but with automatic name ID) is also reported to be considering the race.