Democratic senators Tom Harkin of Iowa, Carl Levin of Michigan, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia have already announced plans to retire when their terms end. Republicans Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Mike Johanns of Nebraska also have said they will not run for re-election.

Lately, South Dakota is a notoriously tough state in which to be a Democrat. Senator Johnson fought the good fight for his constituents for many years, even after a stroke that left him physically weakened.

He and his Rapid City staff helped my mother navigate the deep and ugly waters of the health insurance industry after my brother's double transplant. They CARED, and worked their collective asses off for us ... just a regular family without oodles of money or lobbyists. Our story is just one of many.

This is a big personal loss for my family, South Dakota, and, in my opinion, for the country.

Thank you, Senator Johnson. You make us proud to call you our Senator.