Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who has for months been considered the most vulnerable incumbent seeking re-election this year, will announce Wednesday that he will not run for another term in November, a Democratic source confirmed. He will make the announcement at a press conference at his home in Connecticut.

Dodd’s move, unlike the announcement just hours earlier that Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) will forgo re-election, is good news for Senate Democrats because it gives them a better shot at holding the seat in heavily Democratic Connecticut. Polls have shown Dodd trailing in hypothetical matchups with Republicans who are vying for the nomination to run against him.

Longtime state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is widely viewed as the Senate candidate apparent for Democrats and if he runs he will begin the open-seat race as the favorite. The leading Republicans running are former Rep. Rob Simmons and wealthy ex-World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, who has said she is willing to spend $50 million of her own money on the race.