Independent senator-elect from Maine likely to caucus with Democrats

Maine Senate electee, Angus King, an independent former governor, looks likely to announce within weeks that he will caucus will Senate Democrats.

At a news conference Wednesday in Maine, King said he may make a decision on caucusing by the end of next week, when he will be in Washington for freshman orientation, or after Thanksgiving, according to King spokeswoman Crystal Canney.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in his own news conference Wednesday, said he had "several conversations in the last 24 hours" with King. Reid said he expected King would reach a decision soon.

Canney, who said she was aware only of one congratulatory call Reid made to King Tuesday night, said Reid suggested that King consult with fellow New England independent Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and and Joseph Lieberman, I.D.-Conn. , about how they have been treated in the Democratic Caucus.