Dodd Confirms Retirement Rumors

Posted on Jan 6, 2010

dodd.senate.gov

Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd announced Wednesday that he won’t seek re-election this November, making him the third high-profile Democrat to talk retirement in just one 24-hour news cycle. Despite Democrats’ worries about the 2010 elections, Dodd’s potential replacement from his party may have a fighting chance to score his Senate seat.  —KA

Los Angeles Times:

News of his retirement roiled the political world, coming within 24 hours of announcements from two other Democrats, Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Jr., considered a hot political property, that they were stepping down.

There are 58 Democrats in the Senate, and with two independents who usually caucus with them, the party has been able to build a majority that can break any GOP filibuster. It is doubtful they will have that much clout after November’s midterm election

Dodd’s retirement paves the way for longtime Connecticut Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal to run for the seat as a Democrat. In recent polls, he has shown himself to be a stronger candidate than Dodd against any GOP challenger.

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