Breaking... Olympia Snowe is stepping down from the U.S. Senate

I just saw the same on another source. I hope there is nothing wrong with her, healthwise.

The Press Herald says:

And WCSH

Updated: 5:07 PM
Snowe not running for re-election

....Snowe said...she and her husband, former Gov. John R. McKernan, are both in good health and she is certain she would have won re-election.

Snowe, however, cited frustation over "an atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions."

Source

Thanks for serving ....................Sure wont miss her ......

STATEMENT OF SENATOR OLYMPIA J. SNOWE ON
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

WASHINGTON, D.C – Three-term Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) issued the following statement today with regard to her re-election campaign:

“After an extraordinary amount of reflection and consideration, I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the United States Senate.

“After 33 years in the Congress this was not an easy decision. My husband and I are in good health. We have laid an exceptionally strong foundation for the campaign, and I have no doubt I would have won re-election. It has been an indescribable honor and immeasurable privilege to serve the people of Maine, first in both houses of Maine’s legislature and later in both houses of Congress. To this day, I remain deeply passionate about public service, and I cherish the opportunity I have been given for nearly four decades to help improve the lives of my fellow Mainers.

“As I have long said, what motivates me is producing results for those who have entrusted me to be their voice and their champion, and I am filled with that same sense of responsibility today as I was on my first day in the Maine House of Representatives. I do find it frustrating, however, that an atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions.

“With my Spartan ancestry I am a fighter at heart; and I am well prepared for the electoral battle, so that is not the issue. However, what I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be. Unfortunately, I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years in the Senate to change over the short term. So at this stage of my tenure in public service, I have concluded that I am not prepared to commit myself to an additional six years in the Senate, which is what a fourth term would entail.

“As I enter a new chapter, I see a vital need for the political center in order for our democracy to flourish and to find solutions that unite rather than divide us. It is time for change in the way we govern, and I believe there are unique opportunities to build support for that change from outside the United States Senate. I intend to help give voice to my fellow citizens who believe, as I do, that we must return to an era of civility in government driven by a common purpose to fulfill the promise that is unique to America.

“In the meantime, as I complete my third term, I look forward to continuing to fight for the people of Maine and the future of our nation. And I will be forever and unyieldingly grateful for the trust that the people of Maine have placed in me, and for the phenomenal friendship and assistance I have received over the years from my colleagues, my supporters, and my staff, both in Maine and in Washington.” Senator Snowe will be scheduling a news conference in Portland, Maine, in order to further discuss her decision when she returns to her home state on Friday.

Kevin Raye please run for senate!!!

Sure won't miss her?!?! I think you are sorely mistaken RR, although I understand your sentiment may be driven by the "RINO" name calling mentality and in pursuit of some sort of ideological purity that you self-define. She has been a good representative for Maine (awaiting the howls of AMG disapprovals for that statement). I think you will be less happy with whichever dem wins this seat. Or perhaps you will inform us all of the name of an Anti-RINO who meets your ideological stamp of approval AND has the ability to win this seat...

Thanks for your service, Senator! Best of luck in the future!

Let the fun begin! :)

I hope a conservative wins , however my days of voting for a moderate are done forever in any election .

This is the best news that I've heard in quite some time now! This is a great opportunity for a real conservative to take over.

The opposite, very sadly, is also true.

To all the rabid haters and people who think Dodge
or D'Amnoise have a chance...

To those who thought
YOUR Senator was too Liberal...

MEET MAINE'S NEXT SENATOR

CHELLIE PINGREE-$U$$MAN

I guess the heat got to much in the kitchen, oh well she still has all her self voted bennies. Maybe she realized the damage that has been done by the politicians in DC, the same ones that now think they can fix it. But then again Obama really doesn't need Congress, he will just go around it.

CHELLIE PINGREE-$U$$MAN

Hey! Cut that out. I just spilled half a beer on my lap.

There are only two chances for the Republicans to hold this seat - slim and none.

Perhaps she and her husband will move back to Maine, open up a small business which employs a few people and enjoy all the retirement benefits they've earned.... . . . . . . . . . . . .

This is a completely rotten trick for Snowe to pull. Although there are certainly some qualified individuals on the R side for a run - Kevin Raye and Charlie Summers come immediately to mind - announcing her decision to retire so close to the filing deadline is tantamount to flipping off Maine Republicans who found her positions too liberal but supported her anyway.

Matt Gagnon, as usual, offers decent analysis.

It's almost March, I don't recall anyone ever getting done this late into an election year. What are the nomination paper due dates for Federal office? I know for state office, papers must be turned in by March 15th.

Hot Damn

Now If I can get Obama to quit. lol

I am having difficulty typing this, my jaw being planted in the floor.

I sort of agree with Eagle on this. I went to 4 caucuses to collect signatures for Snowe, and caught all kinds of abuse from people for it. Now we are going to have to scramble quick and dirty and get some kind of Senate candidate on the ballot. 2,000 signatures in 2 weeks. Christ Almighty.

She's been a bitter disappointment for many years. I'm not rabid nor am I a hater, just a voter who voted for a Republican who rarely represented me.

Hallelujah!

Go Scott!

Scott will not be your next senator.

Apollo: ...and get some kind of Senate candidate on the ballot. 2,000 signatures in 2 weeks.
Unless you're talking about a candidate from outside the party, I believe the number is 1,000.

Hold on here various posters you have gotten just what you wanted.
Or was it just the a primary challenge that she would win maybe a slightly smaller margin but a win and onto election maybe not by 74% of vote ,maybe 68% to 73% !!!!!

I do not agree with all she has done but she did it believing in what she was doing and how it should be done ! That is rare in and by itself.

Heat in kitchen? No, she would adorn a asbestos suit and still and win w/ the above margin IMHO.

More than likely as she had stated how things are done and the atmosphere just isn't worth it anymore.
Gloat and be happy but be careful your wishes being granted might just turn out to be worse than another term .

Attention all AID supporters your man is now positioned well !!!

Apollo

What about Jason Levesque who gave Mike Michaud a run for his money 2 years ago?

So with some questioning Scott's primary run and Scott's integrity for running against his former mentor, where do we put Olympia's 11th hour bailout? Integrity? RINO goring the Party from wince she came?

Has she realized that the US is on a par with Greece and the Europigs and wants to get, while getting good, or is the royal-court Snowe's nose bent because we didn't bow in her presence? I don't buy her democracy centrist DC news release, how much more centrists can DC get or is centrist not really what she wants, but further left.

So as many of you fear she gives us Pingree???

Michelle - I thought U.S Congress was 1,000 signatures, U.S. Senate is 2,000, but I could be wrong.

IMPORTANT QUESTION - Both the Republicans and Democrats often run what are called "Replacement" candidates. They collect the signatures, get them on the ballot, and then can legally replace them if the person decides not to run. Can the same thing be done for Snowe? Could she be certified on the ballot, then replaced when she drops out? In that case, I think the State Committee would be charged with picking a replacement.

Also, isn't Jason Levesque co-chair of her campaign? Hmmm... might be a possibility? He must have much of the campaign structure in place from his last run...