This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/apr/23/max-baucus-montana-senator-retire
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Montana senator Max Baucus to retire | Montana senator Max Baucus to retire |
| (17 days later) | |
| The chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Senator Max Baucus, has decided to retire, Democratic officials said Tuesday. | The chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Senator Max Baucus, has decided to retire, Democratic officials said Tuesday. |
| His decision opens up an opportunity for Republicans to claim a Senate seat in Montana, a state where the party's presidential nominee Mitt Romney easily defeated President Barack Obama by 12 percentage points last year. | His decision opens up an opportunity for Republicans to claim a Senate seat in Montana, a state where the party's presidential nominee Mitt Romney easily defeated President Barack Obama by 12 percentage points last year. |
| But Democrats have proved resilient in Montana, with Senator Jon Tester winning re-election last year. The election of Steve Bullock last year is the third term in a row in which Democrats have held the governorship. | But Democrats have proved resilient in Montana, with Senator Jon Tester winning re-election last year. The election of Steve Bullock last year is the third term in a row in which Democrats have held the governorship. |
| Republicans need to win six seats in next year's election to take control of the Senate from the Democrats. Republicans are in charge in the House. | Republicans need to win six seats in next year's election to take control of the Senate from the Democrats. Republicans are in charge in the House. |
| Baucus, 72, has been a fixture in the Senate since 1979 and has been the top Democrat on the finance panel since 2001. | Baucus, 72, has been a fixture in the Senate since 1979 and has been the top Democrat on the finance panel since 2001. |
| A Democrat with an independent streak, Baucus supported the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and Obama's signature 2010 health care law. He broke with his party this year to oppose both the Senate Democratic budget blueprint and a hotly fought effort to beef up background checks for gun purchases. | A Democrat with an independent streak, Baucus supported the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and Obama's signature 2010 health care law. He broke with his party this year to oppose both the Senate Democratic budget blueprint and a hotly fought effort to beef up background checks for gun purchases. |
| The officials spoke about his retirement decision on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose the senator's intentions. Former two-term Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer would be a top candidate should he choose to run to replace Baucus. | The officials spoke about his retirement decision on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose the senator's intentions. Former two-term Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer would be a top candidate should he choose to run to replace Baucus. |
| Democrats in the Senate will be defending 21 seats next year to Republicans' 14, with several Democrats running for re-election in Republican-leaning states that Romney won handily. Among the Democrats facing tough challenges next year are Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. | Democrats in the Senate will be defending 21 seats next year to Republicans' 14, with several Democrats running for re-election in Republican-leaning states that Romney won handily. Among the Democrats facing tough challenges next year are Sens. Mark Begich of Alaska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. |
| Democrats also have more retirements than the Republicans. Five Democrats have announced they will not seek another term: Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Carl Levin of Michigan and Tim Johnson of South Dakota. | Democrats also have more retirements than the Republicans. Five Democrats have announced they will not seek another term: Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Carl Levin of Michigan and Tim Johnson of South Dakota. |
| Among Republicans, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Mike Johanns of Nebraska have decided to retire. | Among Republicans, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Mike Johanns of Nebraska have decided to retire. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |