Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has confirmed that he will retire next year.

A statement circulated by his office Wednesday says Lieberman will not seek re-election to a fifth term.

The decision ends a career in which Lieberman became his party’s vice presidential nominee but six years later was forced to run as an independent after losing the Democratic primary.

While Lieberman’s hawkish views on the military and the Iraq war rankled some Democrats, his support for gay rights and abortion rights won him the praise of many liberals.

The 68-year-old nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with running mate Al Gore in 2000 and mounted an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2004.