Coats may sell home in North Carolina

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Former Republican Sen. Dan Coats said he may sell his family's second home in North Carolina while preparing to challenge Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana in November.

Coats' statement Friday in an e-mail to The Journal Gazette came after the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee released footage of Coats in 2008 saying he planned to move from Virginia to North Carolina after retiring.

A message seeking comment was left Saturday at an office for Coats.

Coats retains strong name recognition even though he's not an Indiana resident now. He would bring a high profile to the race, where Republicans believe the two-term incumbent may be vulnerable.

Coats, a Washington lobbyist, said Wednesday he was preparing to challenge Bayh.

Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net