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Democrats lose another senator
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Associated PressFebruary 10, 2005WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota, a first-term Democrat atop the Republicans' 2006 target list, said Wednesday that his party could field a stronger candidate and that he won't run for re-election."I do not believe that I am the best candidate to lead the party to victory next year," Dayton said. "I cannot stand to do the constant fundraising necessary to wage a successful campaign, and I cannot be an effective senator while also being a nearly full-time candidate."He did not take questions.Dayton's decision is expected to clear the way to an expensive open-seat election battle in a state that has become more receptive to Republicans in recent years.Republicans control the U.S. Senate 55-44, with one Democratic-leaning independent.Dayton has been widely seen as vulnerable. A Star Tribune of Minneapolis poll last month showed his approval rating had dropped 15 points, to 43 percent from 58 percent a year ago.Heir to a family department store fortune, Dayton spent about $12 million of his own money in defeating Republican Sen. Rod Grams in 2000.
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