Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., won't run for another term this year:

[jefferson_dem]

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., won't run for another term this year: "After serving 30 years, I want to make time for some other priorities."

http://twitter.com/mikemadden/statuses/7418713446

[Schema Thing]

1. damn

[jefferson_dem]

5. Not sure who could step in there to fill the Dem void...

Not good for our side as the seat will probably move to toss-up or worse no matter who runs.

EDIT: Earl Pomeroy might be strong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Pomeroy

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. "I want to make time for some other priorities"

Yeah, I bet his other priorities include raking in huge money as an industry lobbyist.

[hlthe2b]

3. Damn

[CreekDog]

4. He was just about the best one there

What a shame. :(

[Armstead]

6. Oh hell -- He was a quiet standout on many issues

[annabanana]

7. aw. .

He didn't stink at his job. ND is a tough neighborhood for dems.

[babylonsister]

8. Wow. I'm stunned. nt

[tishaLA]

9. that sucks

totally not good news. Holding that seat in ND is going to be hard....

[Arkana]

10. Goddamnit.

Well, hopefully we can come up with someone, because his seat will most certainly be filled with a Republican--seeing as how it's North Dakota.

[bigdarryl]

11. Of coarse DUMB ASS Amy Studdard already calling the rethugs winning this seat when we don't even

know who's the democrat running in his place

[totodeinhere]

16. At the very least, it will be harder for the Dems to hold that seat with the incumbent out of the...

running. Anyone, dumb ass or not, should be able to see that.

[Mass]

19. Depends who the GOP is running. Dorgan, despite being well liked and well known, was given losing

against the Republican Governor of the state . So, the fact that it will likely be somebody less well known does not help.

Also, even though Dorgan was far from being perfect (nobody is), he was a very decent Democrat for North Dakota, particularly when you compare him to Conrad.

[Peacetrain]

12. There is more here than meets the eye... something is up.. Dorgan has been a good man in our corner

[depakid]

13. Guessin the internals weren't looking too good

nor were the prospects for them to improve, given the current tendencies in the administration and Senate.

[jefferson_dem]

17. Right.

It's 'bam's fault.

[depakid]

23. What a bizarre reaction

not surprising, but bizarre nonetheless.

As it stands, it ain't looking like a banner year for the Dems- to say the least (and there's plenty of blame to go around for that- along with the usual historical tendency).

[stevedeshazer]

24. I suspect you are right about that.

I hate to see this, Dorgan is by and large a good guy.

We can hope he'll sprint to the finish line, since he has nothing to lose.

[JohnnyLib2]

14. Sigh.

[flpoljunkie]

15. More from Talkingpointsmemo...

ND Dem Sen. Byron Dorgan Retiring

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 5, 2010, 6:20PM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will not seek reelection this year, according to multiple reports this evening. Dorgan, a conservative Democrat, has been trailing Gov. John Hoeven (R) in polls, even though Hoeven has not yet formally decided to run for the seat.

In a memo to his staff published by Chris Cillizza this evening, Dorgan said the potential for a tough race was not behind his decision.

From the memo:

"After a lot of thought I have made the very difficult decision that I will not be seeking reelection in 2010. This decision is not a reflection of any dissatisfaction with my work in the Senate, nor is it connected to a potential election contest next fall (frankly, I believe if I were to run for another term I would be reelected)."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/nd-dem-sen-byron-dorgan-retiring.php?ref=fpblg

[Mass]

18. That is really bad news. This is a seat that is most likely going to the GOP.

[Undercurrent]

20. Not good news.

Rats.

[ShadowLiberal]

21. A real shame, I don't see how we can hold onto this if the governor jumps in.

[LittleBlue]

22. It was fun while it lasted. Now we're fucked.