Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson, a South Dakota Democrat, does not plan to run for re-election when his current term ends in 2014, sources close to the matter and key Capitol Hill staffers said on Monday.
Johnson, 66, joined the Senate in 1997 and has been widely expected to retire at the end of his term. He plans to make the announcement on Tuesday, the sources said. Johnson’s staff said that he will hold a press conference at the University of South Dakota on Tuesday.
Normally I’d say something mocking about this, but it’s medical: the man had a blood vessel burst in his brain in 2006. Whoever at the DSCC made Sen Johnson run anyway in 2008 should be dragged out onto the street and beaten with sticks for that petty cruelty…
Moe Lane
PS: Yup, on my list as Serious Risk. The Democrats are very likely to triage this race, too…
Yea, the Former Governor Mike Rounds, who was term limited out of office with a 72% approval rating, has announced he is running for this seat already.Either way, Tim Johnson does not have to worry about going back to Washington DC. I am sure he has done his internal polling and come to the same conclusion. Why bother?
It looks like there may be a Democrat Primary here between Tim Johnson’s grandson and former House Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, who was beaten by the current Rep Kristi Noem.
A final note, Mike Rounds is an Establishment Republican but a vast improvement of the current occupant.
I took the liberty, Moe, of turning your predictions table into a graphic, here: http://bit.ly/YDLStc
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I did this without your permission, but .. let’s just say things aren’t looking too bad.
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Yet.
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Mew
Is it just me or are other people beginning to see a trend of older medically problematic Dem’s starting to bail. first Levin in MI now Johnson in S.D. is there something going on here we don’t see, is O’bamacare going to hit Government care harder than we noticed? Are they trying to get out while the odds are on their side? Or is it just coincidence twice now according to Churchill so it could be. But if another one announces…
Don’t forget Lautenberg, Harkin, and Rockefeller, so would 5 be a coincidence. Honestly, I think Lautenberg and Johnson decided it would be better to retire than be retired by the voters as each had little chance at re-election vs Booker and Rounds.
Napoleon once said that you should never impede a foe who is doing exactly what you want him to do.
I say let’s throw a party and give an award to any Democrat who voluntarily retires.
I will buy the first round, Freddie. (for myself, anyway .. and if you’re in the room, I’ll buy you one too)
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Mew