Guide Note

Connecticut's senior Senator, Christopher Dodd, is the longest-serving Senator in the state's history, first taking up the office on January 5, 1981. Dodd's father, Thomas Joseph Dodd, was also a Connecticut Senator. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, dropping out after a poor showing in the 2008 Iowa Caucus.

Fast Facts

1. Born: May 27, 1944 in Willimantic, Connecticut
2. Political Party: Democrat
3. Religion: Roman Catholic
4. Authored the Family and Medical Leave Act
5. Worked in the Dominican Republic with the Peace Corps
6. Dated Bianca Jagger and Carrie Fisher

Dodd started his career as an attorney. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1974, part of the group known as "Watergate Babies", Democrats elected in the immediate aftermath of the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon White House. Dodd served two terms as a Representative before being elected to the Senate in 1980.

Dodd's currently serving his fifth consecutive term in the Senate. From 1995 to 1997, he chaired the Democratic National Committee, the job currently held by Howard Dean. He was under consideration to serve as Senate Majority Leader, but declined the position, which eventually went to Nevada Senator Harry Reid.

Dodd announced his candidacy on Don Imus' radio show on January 11, 2007. He spoke frequently during his campaign about his opposition to both the Iraq War and retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that aided the government's domestic surveillance programs. Dodd did not perform well in early polls or the crucial Democratic caucus in Iowa, and dropped out of the race, endorsing opponent Barack Obama on February 26, 2008.