Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), two prominent members of the Senate Democratic caucus, will not run for re-election this year, decisions that threaten to "rock the 2010 Senate landscape," The Hill reports (Blake/Bolton, The Hill, 1/5). Dodd is a five-term senator and a highly influential member of the chamber who recently played a key role in developing the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's health reform bill (S 1679) and the final Senate reform bill (HR 3590). He is expected to make an official announcement on Wednesday (Whittington, Roll Call, 1/6).

According to Politico, Dodd -- who also chairs the Senate Banking Committee -- has "faced months of tough press coverage" over some of his decisions amid the nation's economic and financial industry problems. Recent internal and public polling have shown Dodd trailing two potential challengers for the seat by as much as double-digit figures, Politico reports (Isenstadt/Kraushaar, Politico, 1/6). Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) is seen as the most likely candidate to succeed Dodd, CQ Today reports (Whittington, CQ Today, 1/6). According to the Washington Post, Dodd's sagging popularity in the polls is "politically ironic, coming at a time when his power on Capitol Hill had reached a height that most legislators only dream of." Dodd found that he faced unexpected criticisms with each piece of major legislation he helped usher, particularly on financial bills, according to the Post (Cizilla, Washington Post, 1/6).

Also on Tuesday, Dorgan -- a three-term senator -- released a statement confirming his decision not to seek re-election, adding that he plans to pursue other personal interests (The Hill, 1/5). Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) also announced this week that he will not seek re-election this year.

According to the AP/Boston Globe, Dodd's and Dorgan's decisions taken together would be expected to cause "another bout of heartburn for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge." The Democratic caucus currently holds a 60-40 majority in the Senate, but they now have to defend four open seats in the chamber. Democratic Sens. Roland Burris (Ill.) and Ted Kaufman (Del.), who temporarily filled the Senate seats held by President Obama and Vice President Biden, are not seeking full terms (Sidoti, AP/Boston Globe, 1/6).

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