GOP Sen. Olympia Snow calling it quits

PORTLAND, Maine (AP)

In a surprise announcement, moderate GOP Sen. Olympia Snowe said Tuesday she would abandon her campaign for a fourth term - a contest she was expected to win easily - because she is frustrated by a polarized atmosphere in Washington.

The move dealt an immediate blow to Republicans hoping to take control of the Senate in November by giving Democrats new hope of winning the longtime GOP-held seat.

"As I have long said, what motivates me is producing results for those who have entrusted me to be their voice and their champion, and I am filled with that same sense of responsibility today as I was on my first day in the Maine House of Representatives," Snowe said in a statement. "I do find it frustrating, however, that an atmosphere of polarization and `my way or the highway' ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions."

The news came as a surprise to officials in both national parties. Snowe, 65, for months had been laying the groundwork for a strong re-election effort, putting together a campaign team, keeping a busy schedule of events in the state and raising campaign money. She had more than $3.3 million in her campaign account at the end of last year, her last campaign finance report showed.

She had earned a reputation as an independent voice in the polarized Senate, but had voiced frustration with the sharp partisanship and gridlock that has come to characterize the upper chamber in recent years. She was the only Republican who voted for a version of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, joining Democrats and casting a vote for the plan in the Senate Finance Committee. But under pressure from fellow Republicans, she voted with the GOP to oppose the final legislation.

Fellow Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine called Snowe's decision a complete surprise.

"Nobody can replace Olympia in the Senate," she said. "It's going to be a real void."

The Maine Democratic Party was also caught off guard by Snowe's announcement, which could boost Democrats who are facing tough odds this election cycle. Senate Democrats hold a 51-47 majority with two independents who caucus with them.

"This is a total game changer. It elevates this race to a top-tier race in the nation," said Ben Grant, the state Democratic Party chairman. "Obviously, this is going to cause a great deal of turmoil in the Maine political scene."