Democratic Sen. Breaux won't seek re-election
Fifth Southern Democrat to announce retirement
From John Mercurio
CNN Political Unit
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Sen. John Breaux, D-Louisiana
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(CNN) -- Creating a fifth major headache for Senate Democrats in the South, Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana said Monday that he won't seek a fourth term in 2004.
Breaux, a centrist Democrat and the most popular politician in the Bayou State, won his 1998 re-election bid by a 2-to-1 margin. He announced his decision during a news conference in Baton Rouge.
Breaux spent Monday morning discussing his decision with Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-Louisiana, and members of the state's congressional delegation.
The retirement of Breaux, 59, deals another hefty blow to Senate Democrats as they seek to reclaim the majority in 2004.
He is the fifth Democrat from a southern state to announce his retirement before the 2004 elections. Others are Zell Miller, Georgia; Bob Graham, Florida; John Edwards, North Carolina; and Fritz Hollings, South Carolina.
Republican senators Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois and Don Nickles of Oklahoma also are retiring.
Two Congressional representatives -- Democrat Chris John and Republican David Vitter -- are expected to join the race to succeed him. Both have been raising money for a potential statewide race. Vitter ended September with $1.5 million in the bank; John had $826,000 on hand.
