The lone Democrat in the U.S. House Representatives from Arkansas will not run for re-election, the Associated Press reports.
Rep. Mike Ross, who represents the state’s 4th congressional district, plans to make the announcement Monday in Little Rock. Ross is said to be considering a run for governor in 2014.
It’s bad news for Democrats. National Journal reports that Ross is now the fourth Blue Dog to “head to the exits this year after a midterm election cycle that decimated their ranks.”
“Ross’s retirement makes his House seat a prime battleground for 2012, one that Republicans believe they can pick up,” according to Jessica Taylor at National Journal.
“The current district favored Republicans at the national level, voting 58 percent for John McCain in 2008. Under the state’s already-approved redistricting plan, it becomes slightly more Republican.”