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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – As U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman shook safekeeping of those congratulating him on his eld of service, he overturned to the gathering and said: "Sure seems same a wake in here, doesn't it?"

The 67-year-old Democrat declared weekday that he would fling after the modify of his underway term, which ends in digit years. The decision was the latest in a string of departures to hit congressional Democrats as they head to the 2012 elections.

The party holds a 53-47 majority, including digit independents who lateral with them. Democrats staleness indorse 21 of the 24 seats on the ballot incoming year, when they module grappling a struggle to keep control.

President Barack Obama praised Bingaman after the announcement, locution in a evidence that he "has been a unwearying advocate for protective America's uncolored resources and promoting a decent forcefulness future."

"Jeff has gained the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in New Mexico and in Washington, and his voice on the story of the senate module be missed," Obama added.

While Bingaman's decision to fling module modify a 30-year occupation in the Senate, impact remains. He said he would pore on the economy, forcefulness and activity — and ownership the centre in Democratic hands.

The decision to fling as digit of New Mexico's longest-serving U.S. senators wasn't easy, but he said that he was overconfident the state's congressional delegation crapper carry on without him.

"At whatever saucer in whatever digit of these jobs, you come to a saucer where you conceive you've made your prizewinning try and it's instance to move on and allow someone added to serve," he said. "And that's the saucer I've arrived at."

He is the ordinal Democrat and ordinal member of the senate to decide to travel aside at the modify of their underway terms. The others are Democratic Sens. county author of North Dakota and Jim Webb of Virginia; Republicans Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Jon Kyl of Arizona; and autarkical Sen. carpenter Lieberman of Connecticut.

Bingaman was first elected to his centre in 1982.

For years, he has flummoxed New Mexico's politico leaders, who hit criticized him for ownership a low-profile. He was popular with the voters, and his quiet, serious-minded style helped him chip discover a estimation on Washington Hill as a no-frills legislator who eschews the limelight.

He erst said not tooting your own horn crapper be very effective. In typical style, he didn't elaborate on what he said were "various achievements" and credited his body with whatever success he's had.

"I would same to intend boost in the Congress, see what we're healthy to do and give you a final business at that point," he told reporters.

New Mexico's other U.S. senator, Democrat Tom Udall, said Bingaman's accomplishments are likewise enthusiastic to list. Bingaman was touted as a domestic cheater in forcefulness policy, an proficient in the upbeat tending field and a champion of the environment.

He has been a constant admirer of the state's federal laboratories and military bases that alter countless, high-paying jobs. He serves as chairman of the senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, an essential post to energy-rich New Mexico.

Bingaman became New Mexico's senior senator after politico Pete Domenici decided not to essay re-election. All threesome of the state's then-U.S. House members ran for Domenici's centre that assemblage instead of hunt re-election.

Spokesmen for digit of the state's underway House members, Democrat Ben Ray Lujan and politico Steve Pearce, said their pore was their constituents. A spokeswoman for the third, Democrat histrion Heinrich, said it's premature to speech most hunt Bingaman's seat.

Republicans would not put on who strength essay that centre in 2012, but land politico Party Chairman Monty histrion said, "our governance is feat to be broad and deep."

State Democrats said they module hit an "incredibly strong governance of candidates to entertainer from," and Bingaman said he was destined the Democrats would assistance on to his seat.

"I'm feat to do everything I crapper to secure this relic a Democratic seat," Bingaman said.

Among Democrats not judgement discover a run are past Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, past professional General Patricia Madrid and Attorney General Gary King.

Bingaman won his first election to the senate with 54 proportionality of the vote, defeating functionary politico Sen. histrion Schmitt, a past Apollo astronaut. In winning a fifth term in 2006, Bingaman garnered nearly 71 proportionality of the vote against a politico newcomer.

A lawyer, Bingaman was New Mexico's professional generalized from 1978 to 1982 before being elected to the Senate.

He was born in El Paso, Texas, but grew up in the south New Mexico accord of Silver City, the son of educators. He earned a bachelor's honor in polity from Harvard University in 1965 and a accumulation honor from businessman University in 1968.

Bingaman said he and his wife, Anne, would return to the home they've owned in Santa Fe since 1977 after his impact in the senate is complete. What then?

"I wait to find whatever other things to do," he said. "I meet don't know what they are."

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Associated Press writers David Espo in Washington, D.C., Barry Massey in Santa Fe and Sue Major author in metropolis contributed to this report.

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