PRESS RELEASE from
Sen. Kent Conrad
ed. note Conrad was
first elected in 1986 and served one term; he was then elected in a
Dec. 4, 1992 special election and re-elected in 1994, 2000 and 2006.
January 18, 2011
Statement from Senator
Kent Conrad on Decision Not to Seek Reelection in 2012
Washington –
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) made the following statement today after
announcing he will serve out his term and not seek reelection to the
United States Senate in 2012.
"After
months of consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2012.
There are serious challenges facing our State and nation, like a $14
trillion debt and America's dependence on foreign oil. It is more
important I spend my time and energy trying to solve these problems
than to be distracted by a campaign for reelection.
"These next two years in office will
be critical. My top priorities will be to:
- Get our country on a sound fiscal
course;
- Reduce America's dependence on
foreign energy;
- Craft a new Farm Bill;
- Advance permanent flood control for
the Red River Valley and;
- Address the disaster in the Devils
Lake Basin.
"I
deeply appreciate the extraordinary support I have received over the
years from the people of North Dakota. I am eternally grateful for
the
opportunity they have given me. It has been an honor to serve as
their
United States Senator for the past 24 years. Working together, we've
helped build a strong foundation for North Dakota's future.
"I also
want to thank my family, friends, and staff for years of
support. I
especially want to thank my wife Lucy and our family — our daughter
Jessie, our son Ivan and his wife Kendra, and our grandson Carter — for
their constant encouragement. I appreciate all the sacrifices
they
have made over the years.
"I
also want to thank two of my best friends, Senator Byron Dorgan and
Congressman Earl Pomeroy. It was my good fortune to serve in
Congress
with Byron and Earl for 18 years. We worked hard to produce
results
for our state and our country. It is an experience I will never forget.
"Although
I will not seek reelection, the work is not done. I will continue to do
my level best for both North Dakota and the nation over the final two
years of my term."