A Democratic official says Roland Burris will not run for a full Senate term in 2010. The source says Burris has begun informing Democratic officials about his decision. The official spoke anonymously because Burris had yet to announce his decision publicly.
Burris was appointed by disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. His appointment was criticized from the moment it was announced and prompted calls for Burris to resign.
In the Senate, Burris has been treated as something of a pariah because of his ties to Blagojevich, who was arrested in part on allegations he tried to sell the Senate seat.
By not seeking a full term, Burris increases Democrats chances of holding on to the Senate seat in 2010. Republicans had viewed Burris as a potentially easy target if he were to run for a full-term in the Senate.
The Democratic source said the former Illinois comptroller and attorney general was expected to announce his decision on Friday. Burris issued a press release Thursday evening that said he planned to make a “major announcement” at an event in Chicago on Friday.
Seeking a full-term in the Senate would have proven a tremendously difficult task for Burris. Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat and the senior senator from Illinois, has said repeatedly he would not support Burris running for a full term. Other officials, including Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, have called for Burris to resign.
Burris also faced structural barriers, including anemic fundraising. Recent polls have shown most Illinois voters do not support him, and he has repeatedly changed his story about his dealings with Blagojevich.
