Kent Conrad to retire

[cali]

By Chris Cillizza

Updated at 10:28 a.m.

North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad announced today that he will not seek reelection, creating a potentially prime pickup opportunity for Republicans in a GOP-leaning state.

"After months of consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2012," Conrad said in a letter to constituents. "There are serious challenges facing our State and nation, like a $14 trillion debt and America's dependence on foreign oil. It is more important I spend my time and energy trying to solve these problems than to be distracted by a campaign for reelection."

Conrad, who currently chairs the Senate Budget Committee, has been in office since 1986 and risen to become one of the most influential -- and intellectual -- policy makers operating in the nation's capital.

Conrad had been open about his ambivalence about running for another term and those doubts almost certainly increased following a 2010 election that decimated the Democratic party.

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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/kent-conrad-to-retire.html

[Goblinmonger]

1. Having grown up in ND, I like Kent

He's a good guy. Plus he weathered a "he's an atheist" campaign attack.

[RC]

2. Kent Conrad is a DINO with his own home loan scandal.

Except for the (D) by his name, he is not a big loss for Democrats.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

3. Actually Kent Conrad was one of the heroes of the anti-deregulation movement.

He was one of the few who warned that deregulations would destroy the economy. I imagine that he's retiring because he faces an electoral battle.

He may not be a liberal, but he's served the Democratic Party well and will be missed.

[onpatrol98]

4. +1

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

5. There goes that seat (n/m)