Dodd, Dorgan quitting 2010 Senate re-election bids

WASHINGTON—Tough political day–week–maybe months– for Democrats ahead. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Ct.) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) are pulling out of their 2010 contests.

At noon on Wednesday in Connecticut, five-term Dodd will drop his re-election bid. His poll standings were so low he was considered by handicappers to be the most endangered Democratic incumbent up in 2010.

Dodd’s move is not quite a surprise. After his 2008 presidential run–and with him being Banking Committee chairman during the financial crisis–he was in trouble. With his numbers dropping there had been suggestions that Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal would have a better chance to keep the seat blue.

This comes as Dorgan announced Tuesday he will not run again. Looking at Democratic governor contests, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday said he will not seek another term; in Michigan, Lt. Gov. John Cherry got out of the governors race. (Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm is term limited.)