WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, announced he will officially endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, for president at a press conference in Washington on Monday.
"I believe that the next president of the United States must be experienced and seasoned, must be smart, and must be tough," Bayh said. "And I believe that Hillary Clinton is all of these things and more."
Clinton praised Bayh for his work in the Senate, but fell short of saying that she would tap him to be her running mate if she wins the nomination. Bayh had considered running for president in 2008.
"It goes without saying that his record of public service is extraordinary," Clinton said when asked if she would pick Bayh to be her vice president. "I have the highest personal and professional regard for him."
Related: Union endorses Obama; Bayh endorses Clinton
–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich