Top Dems Wont Seek Reelection

Several top Democratic lawmakers, including marriage equality supporter and Connecticut senator Christopher J. Dodd, will not be on the ballot come November.

Dodd, the chair of the Senate Banking Bommittee who in June wrote in an op-ed aruging that "traditional" marriage views are not "a good enough reason to stand in the way of fairness anymore," is expected to announce in a news conference today that he will not run for a sixth term.

North Dakota senator Byron Dorgan, who has voted for expanding hate-crimes law to include sexual orientation and voted against a federal marriage amendment, is also scrapping a reelection bid, dimming Democratic prospects in the November midterm election, Politico reports. "It's not good news for Democrats," said Democratic strategist Roy Temple. "The reality is this is going to be challenging year, and this is an additional challenge you would prefer not to have. Because of the success of the last two cycles, there are a lot of seats to defend. This is just an additional complication."

Democratic Michigan lieutenant governor John Cherry also announced Tuesday would end his gubernatorial bid, while Democratic Colorado governor Bill Ritter is expected to announce Wednesday that he will decline to run for reelection.

In Connecticut, Democrats expect state attorney general Richard Blumenthal to replace Dodd in the midterm race.