Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)

The American magazine named him one of the "10 Most Economically Literate Members of Congress" and his hometown Bismarck Tribune called Conrad "the most influential senator North Dakota has ever produced." The American also noted that he picked up another nickname in the Senate - "Chainsaw" - for his aggressiveness in making sure numbers add up.

An avid baseball fan, Conrad is modest in almost everything he does: He balances his checkbook daily, never drinks more than two cocktails at one sitting and hunts down discounts on travel.

As Budget chairman, Conrad was unafraid to take on President Barack Obama's debut budget. In March 2009, the Democratic senator introduced his own five-year plan that would slash the deficit by two-thirds over the next five years, but eliminate Obama's proposed middle-class tax cut and any plans for broad health-care reform.

In January 2011, Conrad announced he would not seek reelection in 2012.

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