Sen. Herb Kohl to retire
Washington (CNN)– Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl announced Friday that he will retire after serving four terms in the Senate.
A Democratic source tells CNN, "The DSCC [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] has made sure that all these decisions were made and announced very early in the cycle. Democrats are confident that we can keep the seat."
Kohl released a written statement saying, "On a day much like this one, in May, 1988, I announced my intention to run for the United States Senate."
"Even though I continue to love this job, I have decided that the time has come to give someone else the opportunity to serve…I've always believed that it's better to leave a job a little too early than a little too late. And that's how I feel today. The interest and energy I have for this job will find a new home at the conclusion of this term."
Democrats currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, with 21 Democrats and to independents who caucus with the Dems. But the recent Democratic track record in Wisconsin isn't good.
During the 2010 midterm elections Republicans won two Democratic-held seats in Wisconsin as well as the governorship. Then-incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold was also unseated after serving three terms in the Senate.
Thirty-three Senate seats are up for re-election in 2012. Democrats must defend 23 of them.
Kohl currently serves on three key Senate committees including Senate Appropriations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a statement following news of Kohl's impending departure saying, "Senator Kohl's retirement, just like his Democrat colleagues who stepped aside before him, immediately presents another key opportunity for Senate Republicans next year. It also further dilutes the ability of national Democrats to go on offense, while they fight to maintain their dwindling Senate majority."
Nineteen months before Kohl is due to depart the Senate, potential candidates are already testing the waters. A Democratic source close to Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin tells CNN "she's very likely" to run for Kohl's seat and another Democratic source close to Rep. Ron Kind says "he's seriously considering" running for the Senate.
Possible Republican candidates for the Wisconsin seat include Rep. Paul Ryan, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, former Rep. Mark Neumann, former Rep. Mark Green, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and businessman Tim Michels.
Congressman Paul Ryan made the following statement after learning of Senator Kohl's decision not to run for re-election.
"I was surprised by Senator Kohl’s announcement and want to take some time over the next few days to discuss this news with my family and supporters before making any decision about how I’m best able to serve my employers in the First Congressional District, our state and nation."
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This could be a great opportunity for one of the Koch Brothers to get a Senate seat. They won't have to worry about residency requirements with Scott Walker as governor and the republican secretary of state can always "find" however many votes they need to win-again.
I feel there should be term limits both in congress and the senate. 4 terms is two to long.
Tired of Dems not strategically planning their retirements to ensure the continued majority. It would appear that boths sides are made of selfish individuals, in their unique partisan ways.
Man i will miss Herb what a guy and was never bought! Down with Walker and his stooges!
@ Rosslaw: Well the Dems and unions didn't seem to worry about residency requirements when they imported all of those out-of-state "protesters" to occupy the Capitol. And to my knowledge there were very few improprieties in the election of Gov. Walker. they didn't need to "find" any votes. And if your talking about that judicial election, that's just sour grapes on your part, there was nothing wrong, fishy or untoward about those election results. Both parties have accepted that.
I like the sound of Senator Russ Finegold.
And the GOP, rubbing their hands together in glee because an old dog having already served 4 terms is retiring.
Of course Herb was never bought he has more money than God. It allowed him to buy the election everytime he ran because he had all the money he needed to spend and the name recognition from the family businesses in the state to ensure a dominating election. There is a reason he won his elections more easily than Russ did in the sames state, Herb had the money to scare of challengers while Russ didnt have the personal deep pockets so he faced more dfficult elections than Herb did.