Charlotte - The North Carolina conservative, Senator Mr Jesse Helms, is expected to announce a decision not to seek a sixth term in 2002, turn up the political temperature on an already heated battle to win control of the Senate next year.
Democrats had already taken aim at defeating the state's senior senator but a decision by Mr Helms (79) to end his 30-year career could open up a major primary battle among Republicans, expected to include the former cabinet secretary, Ms Elizabeth Dole.
With Democrats controlling the Senate by a slim 50-49 margin with one independent who votes with Democrats, almost every open seat in the US will be a major battleground next year.