Senator Max Baucus of Montana will retire in 2014 rather than face a tough reelction battle, according to the Washington Post, which cites Democratic strategists familiar with his plans.

Baucus, a Democrat who helped author the health-care-reform law, is currently serving his sixth term in office. His involvement in the drafting and eventual passage of Obamacare, which remains deeply unpopular, meant that he would have faced a difficult race in 2014 if he chose to run for a seventh term. The Montana Democrat made headlines last week when he referred to Obamacare as a “train wreck.”

Baucus is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. According to the Post, former Montana governor Brian Schweitzer will likely succeed Baucus as the Democratic candidate in next year’s race.