Another Dem to Retire

Although his allies have said Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry would run for reelection, three sources tell The Washington Post that Berry is expected to announce his plans to retire Monday morning, making him the first Democrat to do so since the party's loss in Massachusetts. Berry is the sixth Democrat to leave a competitive seat in the last two months. Strategists worry a few more retirements in swing districts—perhaps spurred on by Martha Coakley’s crushing loss—could imperil Democratic control of the House, though as of now there appear to be too few open Democratic seats for the GOP to seize control. Arkansas will be a big battleground for Republicans: John McCain's 59 percent triumph in Arkansas in 2008 showed the seat has a Republican tilt, and Rep. Vic Snyder is retiring and Sen. Blanche Lincoln is struggling in her reelection bid.