LINCOLN, Neb. — Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said Tuesday that he will retire rather than seek a third term next year, dealing a significant setback to Democratic efforts to maintain control of the chamber.
The 70-year-old conservative Democrat, whose seat is being heavily targeted by Republicans in 2012, said in a statement that “while I relish the opportunity to undertake the work that lies ahead, I also feel it’s time for me to step away from elective office, spend more time with my family, and look for new ways to serve our state and nation.”
Republicans, who need to net four seats to take back the Senate next year, say Nebraska has tilted further to the right in recent years. Nelson is the lone Democrat among the state’s five-member congressional delegation.
Prominent Nebraska Democrats said they were concerned about who they might field against the Republican nominee.
“I’m absolutely stunned,” said Kathleen Fahey, a Democratic super-delegate in 2008. “Ben has been such a great senator for everybody. I’m not liking this.”
