DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) released a statement today on the decision by Sens Dorgan (D-ND) and Dodd (D-CT) not to seek reelection. Read the full text after the jump:
“I have tremendous respect for Senators Dodd and Dorgan. They have both served in the Senate with distinction and have extraordinary legislative achievements. They will be dearly missed, and they deserve the country’s gratitude for decades of public service dedicated to making this country stronger.
“Having spoken to both of them, their decisions to retire were heartfelt and personal and I know that they both feel strongly that their seats remain blue in November.
“With Republicans washing their hands of any responsibility to tackle the big challenges this country faces, the stakes for this November could not be any higher. Republicans presided in Washington as the country took a nosedive, and are now obstructing at every turn as Democrats try to get us moving again.
“We know that history suggests this November will be tough for Democrats. But Republicans face six Senate retirements this cycle, and Democrats will likely wage competitive races in five of them. We have strong candidates running across the board, and we are encouraged by the Republican strategy of wanting to reverse course on our efforts to improve the economy, on health care reform, and all of the progress we’ve made in the past twelve months. From saving the country from an economic collapse, to credit card reform, to equal pay for women, we have achieved historic accomplishments over the past twelve months and will spend the next twelve working on the same economic kitchen-table issues that are important to voters, and critical to keeping this country moving forward.”
