Big news on the Senate front
Jan 06, 2010
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), who helped kill the Reliable Replacement Warhead, will not run for re-election.
Not even a week into 2010, November Senate contests are already undergoing dramatic change.
Two senior Democrats, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, have announced their retirements.
In Connecticut, the retirement is good news for Democrats. Dodd was considered a dead duck by many, hurt by his run for the presidency, his banking ties and allegations of sweetheart real estate deals.
He faced opposition from two major candidates: former Rep. Rob Simmons (R) and World Wresting Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (R). McMahon started advertising immediately after getting into the contest and may spend as much as $30 million.
On the Democratic side, state attorney general Richard Blumenthal, who once worked for Dodd, is immensely popular, has already declared for the seat and is now favored to win. A Quinnipiac University poll conducted in November showed Blumenthal with a 78% - 13% approval rating for his job as attorney general.
In North Dakota, Dorgan’s departure is good news for Republicans.