'Cornhusker kickback' Ben Nelson will not seek re-election

Senator Ben Nelson who delivered a crucial vote for Obamacare in exchange for special treatment for his state, will not seek re-election.

Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska has told supporters he will not seek re-election. His decision was first reported by Politico.

In his statement, Nelson said: "Simply put: It is time to move on."

Nelson, 70, was facing a tough fight for a third term. His retirement improves the GOP's chances of picking up the Nebraska Senate seat the Democrat has held since 2000, and it enhances the odds of a Republican takeover of the Senate in 2012.

"It looks like he didn't have the stomach for the fight, and it was going to be one," said Jennifer Duffy, a non-partisan election analyst for the Cook Political Report. "Keeping the majority just got a little harder for (Democrats)."