RICHMOND, Va. — Freshman Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia announced Wednesday that he will retire when his term ends next year, deepening the challenge to his party as it struggles to maintain a Senate majority in the 2012 elections.
In an e-mail announcement, the 65-year- old former Navy secretary said that after much thought and consideration, he had decided to return to the private sector. He offered no additional details about his plans but said he has “every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country.”
The announcement leaves Democrats scrambling to field a strong candidate who can keep the GOP from regaining the seat Webb won from Republican Sen. George Allen by about 9,000 votes in 2006. Allen is running for his old seat but faces opposition in the primary.
Tim Kaine, a former governor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement that he had hoped Webb would seek re-election. He did not indicate whether he would seek the Democratic nomination to succeed Webb.
