Sen. Dan Coats Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2016
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US Senate(WASHINGTON) — Sen. Dan Coats announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2016 — opening up the possibility of a Democratic pick-up in the next election.
“This was not an easy decision,” Coats, R-Ind., explained in a statement. “While I believe I am well-positioned to run a successful campaign for another six-year term, I have concluded that the time has come to pass this demanding job to the next generation of leaders.”
He added that he looks forward to “continued engagement in Indiana in many other ways.”
Coats first served in the Senate from 1989 to 1999 and became a U.S. ambassador to Germany in 2001. He returned to the Senate in 2011.
Coats is the third senator and the first Republican to announce their retirement over the last two months. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., will also retire in 2016.
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