According to nameless sources cited by the
Washington Post, Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who has a press conference scheduled for 11 AM ET today,
will announce her retirement. Mikulski, a Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1986; previously, she had served a decade in the House, making her the longest-tenured woman in congressional history.
Safely blue Maryland has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1980, when Charles Matthias, the man Mikulski succeeded, won a final term. Interest in succeeding Mikulski will be high among Democrats, and potential candidates include (among others) Reps. Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards, as well as former Gov. Martin O'Malley. Undoubtedly more names will emerge soon as the jockeying begins in earnest.
As always, we'll be tracking all developments closely at Daily Kos Elections.
8:18 AM PT: Mikulski has confirmed her retirement, and in classic Mikulski style, she plans to go out with a bang. Said the senator: "Do I spend my time raising money or raising hell?" Door no. 2 it shall be.