Senator Max Baucus of Montana, the chairman of the powerful Finance Committee, will retire from the Senate after 36 years, the sixth Senate Democrat to head to the exits in 2014, according to Democratic officials close to the senator.
A Democratic official said former Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a Democrat and still one of the most popular political figures in the state, is leaning toward running for the seat, ensuring that Democrats still have a strong chance at retaining it. But Mr. Baucus’s departure means the Democrats will now be defending open seats in Montana, West Virginia, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey and South Dakota.
A Democratic official said former Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a Democrat and still one of the most popular political figures in the state, is leaning toward running for the seat, ensuring that Democrats still have a strong chance at retaining it. But Mr. Baucus’s departure means the Democrats will now be defending open seats in Montana, West Virginia, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey and South Dakota.