Senate Democrats Dodd And Dorgan Will Not Seek Reelection

As the U.S. moves into what promises to be a highly turbulent election year, Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) have announced that they will seek reelection in 2010.

“This is my moment to step aside,” Dodd said Wednesday in a speech from his home state. “One year from this week, our state will have a new Senator.”

Dorgan issued a statement denying that his decision to leave the Senate was in response to the upcoming election, and added that he believes he could maintain control of his seat had he decided to run again.

Republicans have set their sights on both seats, with businesswoman and World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Linda McMahon as a popular contender for Connecticut and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven gaining momentum in his state.

On a state level, Democratic Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will also not be seeking reelection. Michigan Lt. Governor John Cherry, also a Democrat, closed his gubernatorial campaign as well.

Today at Talk Radio News

The Washington Bureau will attend a discussion on "Can We Keep Space from Becoming a Shooting Gallery?" held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, along with the Third Annual Washington-Israel Summit held by Christians United for Israel. The bureau will also attend a press conference with Democratic Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) who will discuss the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act, and cover a conference call by Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) campaign team on Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) position in Iraq.

Later in the day, the bureau will attend a speech by Attorney General Michael Mukasey at the AEI Legal Center for the Public Interest and a briefing on "Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities" with former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker (R-Kan.). A presentation on "From Status Quo to Breaking the Mold: Schools Expanding Learning Time" held at the Center for American Progress will also be attended.