Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Friday announced his intention not to seek re-election to a sixth term. He has served as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for nearly eight years (2001-2003 and 2007-2011), making him the top poliucymaker on Capitol Hill on energy issues. Bingaman, who is 67 years old, informed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) of his decision Thursday. He is the fourth senator aligned with Democrats to not seek re-election, following announcements already this year by Sens. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jim Webb of Virginia and Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut independent who caucuses with Democrats, the Wall Street Journal reported..

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