CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who came to West Virginia as a young man from one of the world’s richest families to work on anti-poverty programs and remained in the state to build a political legacy, announced today he will not seek a sixth term.
The 75-year-old Democrat’s decision, coming at a time when his popularity in a conservative state had been waning for sparring with the mining industry and supporting President Barack Obama, told The Associated Press ahead of his formal announcement that it was time to retire.
Rockefeller’s decision will set off a scramble for a seat held by Democrats since 1958.
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