Long-time Democratic senator Dodd says he won't run for re-election

Jan 6, 2010, 17:42 GMT

Washington - Christopher Dodd, a long-time US senator and leading voice in the left-leaning Democratic Party, said Wednesday that he won't run for re-election in 2010.

Dodd's decision came a day after another Democratic senator, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, also said he would not run again in what could signal trouble for the Democrats to hold on to their legislative majorities in November.

Tough legislative battles in 2009 over health care reform and reviving the US economy - both involving Dodd - have taken their toll on the popularity of President Barack Obama's party.

One-third of the 100-member Senate and the entire House of Representatives will be up for re-election in November. Republicans, who hold just 40 seats in the Senate, see the election as a major opportunity to make gains.

Dodd, who since 1980 has represented the left-leaning north- eastern state of Connecticut, was considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing re-election after ethical probes and his role in a scandal over bonus payments to executives at bailed out financial firm American International Group (AIG).

In announcing his decision not to run again, Dodd acknowledged that he found himself 'in the toughest political shape of my career,' forcing him to question whether he could make another successful run.

'This past year has raised some challenges that insisted I take stock of my life,' Dodd said in a statement outside his home in Connecticut. Among other things, he mentioned his battle with prostate cancer over the summer.

'After 35 years of representing the people of Connecticut and the United States Congress, I will not be a candidate for re-election this November,' Dodd said.