Democrat Kent Conrad says he'll retire: big opportunity for GOP in Senate

The announcement Tuesday by Sen. Kent Conrad (D) of North Dakota that he will not seek reelection next year presents the Republican Party with its first big Senate pickup opportunity of the 2012 election cycle.

Before Senator Conrad’s announcement, the Cook Political Report rated the North Dakota moderate’s chances of reelection as “likely.” With the four-term veteran retiring, the Democrats will be fortunate to make the race competitive. The Democratic Party currently controls the Senate 53-47, but faces a steep uphill climb in its effort to maintain control beyond 2012. The Democrats are defending 23 seats versus 10 for the Republicans.

Conrad’s departure at the end of 2012 could mark the end of a political era for North Dakota, which for years was represented in Washington by three Democrats – Conrad, former Sen. Byron Dorgan, and former Rep. Earl Pomeroy, the state’s only House member. The Dorgan and Pomeroy seats are now held by Republicans, and Conrad’s seat could fall too.

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“There are serious challenges facing our state and nation, like a $14 trillion debt and America’s dependence on foreign oil,” Conrad said in his retirement statement. “It is more important that I spend my time and energy trying to solve these problems than to be distracted by a campaign for reelection.”

In listing his top priorities for his final two years in office, Conrad listed putting the country on “a sound fiscal course” first. Conrad was one of three Democratic senators to serve on President Obama’s bipartisan debt commission; he supported the commission chairs’ tough recommendations. Aside from debt and foreign oil, Conrad also plans to focus on crafting a new farm bill, advancing permanent flood control for the Red River Valley, and addressing the flooding threat by North Dakota’s Devils Lake.

Republican reaction

In a statement, Mr. Obama remarked on Conrad’s “unmatched dedication to putting our country on a sound fiscal path and a commitment to meeting our nation’s energy challenges.”

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