Email:
The Senate President tonight has received a letter of resignation from Senator Anthony Galluccio.
The following is a statement from President Murray:
“Senator Galluccio has made the right decision today for himself, his family, the Senate and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With his resignation, he can begin to face difficult personal challenges, and I hope he receives the services he needs to help him along the way. With the support of his friends and family, and through his own will and determination, it is my sincere wish that he finds solace and future success. His resignation today is an indication that he is ready to begin that journey. It is now the job of the Senate to continue its own mission of doing the important work of the Commonwealth, and that is what we will do.”
UPDATE: Here is Galluccio’s letter of resignation (PDF).
…bad retirement:
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p>Sen. Byron Dorgan, a 18-year veteran Democrat, dropped a late-day bombshell, announcing he will retire when his term ends this year. Dorgan’s announcement represents an opportunity for Republicans: North Dakota is a Republican-leaning state, where President Obama got just 45% of the vote last year.
I seriously do not think Dorgan could have won in 2010. When is the last time he was up for election? 2004? Approaching the height of Anti-Republicanism and the set up for the Democratic takeover of Congress.
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p>Now, the Republicans are heading into 2010 with a lot of momentum in a rather conservative state. The “I may have a D next to my name but I’m not really part of that agenda” campaign isn’t going to fair too well for Democratic senators in those shifting red states.
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p>Okay, so we lose a seat to the republicans, bad news. Realistically, we are going to lose more than a few in 2010 anyway, so most of the President’s more ambitious agenda will probably make their way around during this session. Not running for reelection, Senator Dorgan is free from having to tip-toe around every vote. With Cap-and-Trade and possibly immigration reform (among other important issues) coming up to bat this year, we could use his vote.
you imply that Senator Dorgan is more liberal than his constituents, and that has held his vote back. Got any evidence of this?
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p>Incumbency — even in ND — is an advantage. Running the race now puts the Dems in a weaker position, which allows the GOP to set it’s sights elsewhere too.
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p>It’s a silver lining, but it’s also a dark cloud.
On both counts. Although I lament the loss of both progressive leaders. In the case of Galluccio he has only himself to blame for not fixing this sooner, in the case of Dorgan he truly was one of the most valuable Democrats considering how liberal he was and what state he was from. To be pro-union, pro-gay rights, pro-civil liberties, and anti-war from SD is quite impressive.
…while a likely step up for Democrats, there’s no way to pretend it looks good when so many Democrats are bailing right before re-election.
not just because CT’s chances may have actually improved with his decision, but he was struggling with his own personal mortgage crisis and the Nutmeggers didn’t like that one bit.
But every Democratic retirement makes someone on the fence give it a second thought.
For the most part I think its a good thing and in many ways cancels out the Dorgan retirement so it must have come from the WH with a golden parachute to Dodd. Expect some kind of plush appointment down the line for him, like an ambassadorship. Also it negates the Dorgan retirement since this went from a lean R seat to a safe Dem seat. The bigger ramifications is which Democrat will be popular enough to take on Lieberman in 12?
President Murray’s words have strength and grace, it is the right decision. What appears to be the end may be the beginning of a better way for Anthony, his family and community. Blessed be.