Dodd Will Not Seek Another Term, Reports Say

Five-term Sen. Christopher Dodd, whose standing in his state has been undermined by his role during last year's financial meltdown, is expected to announce that he will not seek re-election, according to a report in the Washington Post.

The news about Dodd comes on the heels of an announcement by three-term Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, who had also been plummeting in the polls, that he would not seek re-election.

Recent polls in Connecticut had shown Dodd slipping below the 40 percent mark in match-ups against three Republicans vying for the chance to challenge him in November.

The Post reported that state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was expected to step in as the Democratic candidate for the seat. Blumenthal, who has served in his job since 1990, is popular in the state and is considered to be a less vulnerable target for Republicans than Dodd.

Dodd had played a key role in legislation to bail out major Wall Street financial firms, pushing through legislation to strengthen consumer protections in the use of credit cards, and stepping in for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy on the health care overhaul. But the Wall Street bailout angered many Americans and Dodd suffered the fallout.

Dodd's retirement was also reported by the Politico and the New York Times.