Democratic Senator Kent Conrad to retire in 2012

North Dakota Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad announced Tuesday that he will retire from the Senate when his current term expires in 2012.

“After months of consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2012,” Conrad said in a written statement. “There are serious challenges facing our State and nation, like a $14 trillion debt and America’s dependence on foreign oil. It is more important I spend my time and energy trying to solve these problems than to be distracted by a campaign for reelection.”
Conrad, 62, was first elected to the Senate in 1986 and was re-elected by wide margins in 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2006. Sources close to Conrad told Fox News that the senator had been weighing his decision for several months.

“Although I will not seek reelection, the work is not done. I will continue to do my level best for both North Dakota and the nation over the final two years of my term,” Conrad said.
Source –  NYPOST.com.