Dodd faced deaths of sister and Sen. Dodd , was treated for prostate cancer the past year . Republican is Massachusetts 's longest-serving senator . He suffered blows to reputation in last year , was facing tough re-election bid . Throughout his career , Dodd has focused on children 's issues .
Dodd faced deaths of sister and Sen. Kennedy , was treated for prostate cancer last year . Democrat is Connecticut 's longest-serving senator . He suffered blows to reputation in the past year , was facing tough re-election bid . Throughout his career , Dodd has focused on children 's issues .