WASHINGTON — Montana Sen. Max Baucus, who will retire next year, told reporters Tuesday that it felt “great” to have made a decision about re-election.
The Washington Post broke the news Tuesday morning that the Democrat and chair of the Senate Finance Committee will retire next year instead of running for re-election. Baucus himself has yet to confirm the news personally or put out a statement, but he tacitly acknowledged the decision to reporters.
Baucus said it felt “great, in a word” to have made a decision about re-election.
His wife was at the Capitol with him Tuesday. He introduced her to reporters and said, “We decided together.”
Montana’s junior senator, Democrat Jon Tester, said he was surprised by Baucus’ decision. He said Baucus had told him on Monday that he was going to retire.
Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, the Senate majority whip, got no such notice. He told reporters that he had found out about Baucus’ retirement “this morning.”