A third Republican senator this cycle has just announced he won't seek re-election: Scandal-plagued John Ensign (is there any other way to refer to him?) said at a press conference today that he'll step down at the end of this term - and that he has no plans to resign early. He also claims that he was still planning to run again as recently as last week, but that he decided he couldn't put his family through another campaign. (He also says that "God has forgiven me" for his sins.) As Jon Ralston witheringly observed on his Twitter feed:
If Ensign cared about family, GOP, Senate, friends, aides who had to hire lawyers over last 18 months, he would have resigned long ago.
This isn't good news for Democrats, as a damaged Ensign would very likely have been our best opponent. But even if he hadn't decided to retire, he probably would have been dead man walking. Most observers were expecting second CD Rep. Dean Heller to challenge Ensign in the Republican primary; polls had shown Heller looking strong. Now Heller has a much clearer path to the nomination, if he wants it. Of course, he'd be trading the House GOP majority for a potentially minority seat in the Senate, and that may give him some pause. Others who may run include Chicken Lady Sue Lowden and Crazy Lady Sharron Angle, but Heller seems like he might clear the field - in fact, Lowden candidly said she wouldn't run if he did, because she thinks she couldn't beat him.
For the Dems, possible candidates include Rep. Shelley Berkley, as well as Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall, and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. The latter three wouldn't have to give up their current positions to run, while Berkley - who has generally seemed hesitant to jump in - would have to do so. Berkley, widely viewed as a top recruit had previously said she'd still consider the race even if it meant going up against Heller, so all eyes will be on her now. Despite today's unfortunate news, given the paucity of good pickup opportunities for Democrats this cycle, NV-Sen will remain at the top of our lists.