South Dakota Senator announces plan to retire in 2014
March 28, 2013
PIERRE, South Dakota: Three term Senator Tim Johnson (D) of South Dakota announced on March 25 that he would not be seeking another term in 2014.[1]
In a news conference at his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, Johnson joked, "I will be 68 years old at the end of this term and it is time for me to say goodbye. As much as [my wife] Barbara would like me to run again, I have to say no,” and went on to say, "I'm honored and humbled that the people of South Dakota, Democrats, Republicans and independents, have allowed me to represent you in the state legislature, the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate."[1]
Johnson was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 and won re-election in 2002.[2] In 2006, Johnson suffered a brain hemorrhage that almost killed him, but he recovered and went on to run for and win re-election in 2008.[2] When asked if his health was behind his decision not to run again, Johnson answered "I feel great, but I must be honest. I appreciate that my right arm and right leg are not what they used to be and my speech is not entirely there. But I think mostly that it's time to go."[2]
If he had made a bid for another term in the Senate, Johnson was expected to face a tough win for re-election, and was considered vulnerable.[3]
Johnson was the fifth Democratic Senator to announce plans to retire in 2014.[2] Others include Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, and Carl Levin of Michigan. Two Republican senators, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Mike Johanns of Nebraska, are also not making bids next year for another term in office.[2]
The 2014 election will be the first time since 1978 that South Dakota will have an open Senate seat.[4]
See also
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External links
- News: Washington Post, "South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson Retiring"
- News: CNN "Fifth Democratic senator says no to 2014"
- News: U.S. News, "Republicans, Democrats Both See Opportunity in Johnson Retirement"
- News: KDLT "Sen. Tim Johnson's Plans After Politics"
- News: Star Tribune, "Democratic Sen. Johnson of South Dakota will retire, thankful for support during health crisis"
- News: Washington Post, "AP sources: South Dakota Sen. Johnson won’t seek re-election; 5th Democratic senator to retire"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Washington Post, "AP sources: South Dakota Sen. Johnson won’t seek re-election; 5th Democratic senator to retire" accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 CNN "Fifth Democratic Senator Says No to 2014" accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Fiscal Times, " 7 Senate Seats Most at Risk—Hint: They’re All Blue" accessed February 15, 2013
- ↑ KDLT "Sen. Tim Johnson's Plans After Politics" accessed March 28, 2013
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