South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson won’t be seeking re-election this year, which has thrilled every politico junkie in the midwest. NBC News confirmed the news last night. Johnson, a three term senator, will give remarks later today from the University of North Dakota.
The AP reports that Johnson won’t confirm the announcement until today at his speaking engagement. He’ll serve out the remainder of his term until the 2014 Rumble for Capitol Hill begins. In a truly weird coincidence the “battle” for the South Dakota seat seems to be incredibly vast. Johnson’s departure means a shake-up for the Senate Banking Committee, which he has chaired since 2011. Also in a completely unrelated bit of news, New Jersey pollsters announced today that voters don’t care about Chris Christie’s weight. Because this is the most anyone outside of Beltway wonks has thought about South Dakota since the Birding Festival got confirmed dates in May.