Senator Conrad’s decision not to seek a fifth term puts his seat at greater risk that a Republican will win it in 2012. Conrad is generally liked by both Senate Republicans and Democrats, and won his last election with 68 percent of the vote.
In deciding to retire, Conrad said he would prefer to spend his remaining time in the Senate working on America’s problems rather than campaigning for reelection. Former US Rep. Earl Pomeroy, whose résumé includes nine terms in the House, is a possible frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
