Democrats' Chances Of Keeping Senate Control Just Took A Brutal Blow [View all]

[FarCenter]

Popular Democratic former Gov. Brian Schweitzer told the Associated Press that he will not run for Montana's open Senate seat — something that serves as a major blow for Democratic hopes of keeping control of the body in 2014.

Montana's seat is now a little more wide open in the race to replace Sen. Max Baucus, who announced earlier this year that he would retire. Polls showed that Schweitzer, who was still popular in the red state, was the only hypothetical Democratic candidate who led potential Republican candidates.

Republicans need to flip six Senate seats in 2014 to gain back control of the body. Now three red states with retiring Democratic senators — Montana, West Virginia, and South Dakota — look like promising potential flips for Republicans, who reacted to the news with glee.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/brian-schweitzer-not-running-montana-senate-control-democrats-2013-7