Senate Democratic Caucus chairman resigns, cites family needs

ATLANTA - Senator Nathan Dean of Rockmart has resigned as chairman of a Senate Democratic Caucus shaken by the November election. <br> <br> Dean, who was re-elected chairman last week, cited his wife&#39;s pending knee surgery in a letter to fellow Democrats. He says he did not want to ``compromise family obligations&#39;&#39; by holding the caucus post. <br> <br> Dean beat his Republican challenger by just 261 votes in the election, but Republicans say there were no ongoing discussions with Dean about changing parties. <br> <br> But Senate Republican leaders have said they plan to appoint at least three Democrats to committee chairmanships after the Legislature convenes January 13.