In the wake of today’s announcement by North Dakota Democrat Senator Kent Conrad that he will not be seeking re-election in 2012, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Communications Director Brian Walsh made the following statement regarding the North Dakota Senate race:

“In the wake of Senator Hoeven’s overwhelming victory last year, Senate Republicans fully expected North Dakota to be a major battleground in 2012, but Senator Conrad’s retirement dramatically reshapes this race in the Republicans’ favor.

“Like millions of voters across the country, North Dakotans sent a strong message in November that they are tired of the massive spending and growing debt that we have been seeing from Washington. That is why the Democrats’ big government agenda will be a major impediment to any Democrat challenger who may now step forward in this race.

“We believe this race represents one of the strongest pickup opportunities for Senate Republicans this cycle and will invest whatever resources are necessary to win next year.”

What some already saying about the North Dakota Senate race:

ABC News’ Amy Walter – @amyewalter: Biggest problem for ND Dems, no bench

Hotline’s Josh Kraushaar – @HotlineJosh: Dems privately pessimistic about holding ND second seat — GOP could start ’12 cycle with a +1 in the bank.