Add Domenici To List of Retiring GOP

Six-term Republican senator Pete Domenici (NM) will not seek re-election in 2008, putting another Senate seat up-for-grabs in next year's election. Fellow Republican senators Chuck Hagel (NB), John Warner (VA), and Wayne Allard (CO) have also announced their retirement, effective 2009.

Domenici's announcement will add even more pressure to a Republican Senatorial Campaign sure to be stretched thin come next November. In addition to the seats left vacant by the aforementioned retirees, 22 incumbent Republicans will be defending their seats in 2008, compared to 12 Democrat incumbents defending seats.

Notably, Domenici's New Mexico, Warner's Virginia, Hagel's Nebraska, and Allard's Colorado are all quite capable of putting Democratic senators in Washington. Just look at the other senators from those states: Bingaman (NM), Webb (VA), B. Nelson (NB), and Salazar (CO). All Democrats.

It's very early to start making predictions. But, there are 51 Democrats in the Senate right now. Say 2 of the 12 Dems fail to protect their seat. Down to 49. Say 4 of the Republicans fail to protect their seats. Up to 53. Say three of four vacant seats go to Dems. That's 57 Dems in the Senate. Count on moderate Republicans to side with Dems on certain measures and you get pretty close to a filibuster-proof Democratic senate.

Domenici, who has recorded over 13,000 votes in the Senate, cited health concerns as part of the reason for his decision to step down. New Mexico governor and Presidential candidate Bill Richardson said he had no interest in running for the seat.

However, Congresswoman Heather Wilson has announced she will run for the vacated seat. Wilson, a Republican, currently represents a district largely comprised of Albuquerque. She is known as a Domenici protegee, so this is a pretty logical move for her.