After a 33 year run in Congress, Maine's Senator Snowe declared today that she will not seek a third Senate term.

Her abrupt announcement took both major parties by complete surprise, and opens up the state to a possible upset by a Democratic candidate. Snowe’s campaign office issued a statement this afternoon confirming her decision.

When asked for the reason for her decision, Senator Snow replied that she was assured of an easy re-election, saying, “I am well prepared for the electoral battle, so that is not the issue.” She won her last race with 74 percent of the vote. “However, what I have had to consider is how productive an additional term would be.” She stated she was frustrated by “an atmosphere of polarization and my-way-or-the-highway ideologies.”

Speaking of the partisan wave that is prevalent this cycle, “Unfortunately,” she said,”I do not realistically expect the partisanship of recent years to change over the short term.”

Senator Snowe is one of two very moderate Republican Senators from the state of Maine. The House delegates from the state are Democrats.

Her colleague, Maine Senator Susan Collins, the only Senator in Washington even more moderate than Snowe, released a statement on the news. “I am absolutely devastated to learn that Olympia has decided not to seek re-election to the United States Senate,” she continued, “It has been a great honor to serve alongside Olympia. She has devoted her life to public service, and to serving the people of Maine. She is an outstanding colleague who defines public service at the highest level. She has built a well-deserved reputation as an informed, thoughtful, and effective legislator. Truly, there is no one who works harder on behalf of Maine and our nation.”

The Maine Democratic Party released a statement as well on Snowe’s decision, the release applauded her honesty and advocacy for the people of the state and thanked her for her years of service aknowledging the credit she has been to the profession. It went on to say, “This announcement obviously changes the dynamic of the race, but it doesn’t change our focus on solving the problems of working people people. President Obama has put the country back on track, and it is vital for the economic recovery of this country that we send a Senator to Washington who will help the President continue our present course. When the President took office, to quote Senator Snowe, ‘Rome was burning’. Now Maine has a chance to elect a Senator who will help put the fire out, rather than obstruct the rescue efforts at every step.”

Although there are several candidates willing to go head to head with her to take her seat, and now are literally vying for her spot, out of the five Republicans, eight Democrats, and a Tea Party activist, only Chellie Pingree, a two term House Democrat stands out. This can be a pick-up for the Democrats and surely means that the Republicans are going to have to spend money to try and keep the seat in the Republican realm.