Shocking news via Politico:
Senator Thomas “Tom” Carper (D-Del.) announced Wednesday morning that he would not seek reelection in 2016.
Carper, 68, is the senior United States Senator from Delaware, serving since 2001. His surprise departure at the end of the term could set off a scramble among his top Delaware politicians to succeed one of the longest-serving elected officials in the state. A towering figure in Delaware politics, Carper served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993 and was the 71st Governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001. A member of the right leaning Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), Carper’s leaves a legacy of tirelessly using his committee positions to empower banks and financial institutions to exploit banking deregulation throughout the 1980’s and 90’s.
“This was not an easy decision,” Carper said in a statement announcing that he would step down at the end of his term rather than seek re-election in 2016. “While I believe I am well-positioned to provide high quality services to my benefactors for another six-year term, I have concluded that the time has come to pass this lucrative job to the next generation of leaders.”
Capital Hill Republicans and financial sector lobbyists reacted with horror to the news of Carper’s retirement.