A Democratic source said Friday that U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) has decided not to run for re-election after serving in the U.S. Senate since 1989.
Kohl plans to announce his plans later this morning at his Senate office in Milwaukee.
Should Kohl not seek re-election, it would be a political blow to Democrats, adding one more seat to a growing number the party has to defend in 2012. Republicans have never come close to defeating Kohl since he was first elected in 1988, and given his political track record and his personal wealth, he would start as a heavy favorite to win re-election next year.
Democrats have to defend 23 U.S. Senate seat next year while Republicans only have to defend 10. While most of those seats are in states that President Obama won handily in 2008, the numbers give the GOP far more opportunities on paper for pick-ups than Democrats have, and put control of the Senate in play.
Kohl, who is 76, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, and was re-elected to a fourth term in 2006.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/121771884.html SEN. FINEGOLD ARE GONNA JUMP IN?