By Dave Andrusko

Pro-abortion Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Pro-abortion Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) became the second senator in less than a week to announce that they would not seek re-election in 2012. On Friday Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-Tx.), whose record on abortion was mixed, said she would not seek a fourth term. Conrad was first elected to the Senate in 1986.

Whereas Texas is an uphill fight for Democrats--1990 was the last time they won a major statewide race--last November Republicans swept both the Senate race and North Dakota's only congressional seat.

In a statement released this morning, Conrad, chairman of the Budget Committee, said he would use his remaining time in office to focus on reducing the $14 trillion dollar national debt.

There are 33 seats up for grabs in 2012: 23Democrats, which includes two Democratic-leaning independents, and 10 Republicans. Currently Democrats hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate.

"Conrad was considered very vulnerable in 2012, but he represented the Democrats best shot at holding on to the seat," the National Journal reported. "Without him in the race, Republicans -- who made significant gains in North Dakota last year -- start the 2012 cycle with significant advantage."

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