Nelson was considered one of the most endangered Dem incumbents this cycle. Ben Nelson: 'It's time to move on'

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska announced his retirement from the Senate Tuesday, delivering a serious blow to Democratic efforts to hold on to the majority in the chamber next November.

“There’s much more that needs to be done to keep America strong. And while I relish the opportunity to undertake the work that lies ahead, I also think it’s time for me to step away from elected office, spend more time with my family, look for new ways to serve our state and nation. Therefore, I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection,” Nelson said in a video posted on YouTube, titled “What’s Next.” “Simply put, it’s time to move on.”


Nelson apologized to his aides during a conference call that word of his retirement had leaked to POLITICO before he had a chance to personally inform them of his decision. Nelson began calling top Senate Democrats early Tuesday to tell them he was not running for reelection.

Nelson wavered in whether to retire, according to sources close to the Nebraska Democrat, telling aides that “some days it was yes, some days it was no.”

He also said on the call that the “ tea party must be stopped.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who also faces a tough reelection battle next year, sent a note to Nelson saying how sad she was over his decision to step down next year. In a reference to the two states' football rivalry, McCaskill jokingly added to her note: “Nebraska still sucks.”

The 70-year-old Nelson was considered one of the most endangered Democratic incumbents this cycle. GOP-affiliated outside groups have already dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into TV ads bashing Nelson, while the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spent over $1 million on its own ad blitz to bolster his image.

The White House and top Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Chuck Schumer of New York, had quietly mounted a pressure campaign to keep Nelson from retiring. Nelson has more than $3 million in his campaign war chest, and his approval rating solidified after falling over the past several years. Nelson can give unlimited amounts to the DSCC from his reelection fund, Democratic sources noted.

Nelson, a former insurance industry executive, had forged a reputation in the Senate as one of the most moderate Democrats, sometimes to the frustration of his more liberal colleagues. He supported the tax cuts under President George W. Bush in 2001 yet also backed President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package in 2009, as well as the Democrats’ signature health care bill.

Nelson obtained a huge controversial provision in that legislation — derisively called the “Cornhusker Kickback” by GOP opponents — that called for the federal government to pay Nebraska’s costs for Medicaid expansion, potentially saving the state tens of millions of dollars annually. The provision was ultimately killed, but Nelson still paid a political price. Nelson adamantly denied that he traded his support for the Democratic health plan in exchange for the special provision, yet his standing back home took a big hit. Nelson proved to be the 60th and deciding vote for the Democratic health-care package.

But with Nelson stepping down, the Democrats’ hold on the Senate is in serious doubt, although party leaders believe they can still do so. Republicans are expected to pick up control of the Cornhusker State seat, although top Democrats see popular former Sen. Bob Kerrey as a potential candidate.

Other vulnerable Democrats, like McCaskill and Jon Tester of Montana, also face difficult — although winnable — reelection fights.

There will also be costly races in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, featuring Democratic incumbent Sens. Sherrod Brown, Bill Nelson and Bob Casey. Obama’s reelection campaign is expected to spend heavily in those states, potentially giving a boost to Democratic incumbents.

Overall, 23 Democratic-controlled seats are up this cycle, while Republicans have to defend only 10. Senate Republicans need to pick up only four seats to grab control of the chamber.

The Democrats’ best hope for picking up a GOP-held seat is in Massachusetts, where Republican Sen. Scott Brown, who won a special election two years ago to replace the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, will go up before Bay State voters in November.