Dorgan not running: Decision not to seek re-election stuns Democrats

North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan said Tuesday he will not seek re-election to the Senate in November, a surprise announcement that dealt another blow to Democrats already struggling to protect their Senate majority. Adding to the party’s woes: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, won’t run for a second term this fall, according to two Democrats with knowledge of Ritter’s decision. They spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the governor’s political plans publicly. Ritter was expected to make an announcement Wednesday.

By: By Ken Thomas, The Associated Press, The Jamestown Sun