Mikulski Raising Money, Planning for a Fifth Term

Anyone speculating that Sen. Barbara Mikulski might step down when her term expires next year, should take a quick look at her campaign finance reports:

The 72-year-old Maryland Democrat raised $442,000 in the first three months of this year, bringing her campaign total to $1.2 million, the Baltimore Sun reported today.

Her run for a fifth term could dash the hopes of possible candidates from both parties. Pundits have mentioned former governor Bob Ehrlich and national GOP chief Michael Steele on the Republican side and Montgomery County Rep. Chris Van Hollen for the Democrats should Mikulski step down.

"We're looking ahead to 2010," the Sun quoted Mikulski telling supporters in Cumberland. "We're going to be very active and do all that we can" for the Democratic ticket.