WASHINGTON (AFP) — The beleaguered US Republican Party, reeling from big losses to Democrats and about to relinquish the White House, took another blow on Monday, when a key Ohio senator announced his retirement.
Veteran Senator George Voinovich said he would not run for a third term when his seat comes up for reelection in 2010, leaving Republicans another tricky race in a state which voted for Democrat Barack Obama for president.
Given the fierce challenges facing the United States, including the deep economic crisis, Voinovich said he could best serve his state by devoting himself to the Senate rather than campaigning and fundraising.
"In my lifetime of public service, I have never seen the country in such perilous circumstances, Voinovich said in a statement.
"Not since the Great Depression and the Second World War have we been confronted with such challenges, as a nation and as a world.
"These next two years in office, for me, will be the most important years that I have served in my entire political career," said Voinovich, a former mayor of Cleveland and Governor of Ohio.
Voinovich became the fourth Republican senator from a competitive state to announce he would not run again in 2010, leaving the party at risk of further losses to Democrats who now control the White House and Congress.
Democrats are now counting on 59 seats in the 100-seat Senate, following the November 4 election, just one short of the magic 60-seat barrier needed to overcome Republican filibuster delaying tactics.
Two of the party senators are yet to take their seats.
Roland Burris from Illinois is expected to be sworn in this week, after a row was resolved with Democratic leaders following his appointment by scandal-tainted state governor Rod Blagojevich.
Former comedian Al Franken may have to wait until a legal challenge over a recount in Minnesota is wrapped up, after apparently defeating Republican incumbent Norm Coleman.
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