Et tu, Tom Colburn?
Tom Coburn announces plans to retire
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), a doctor and outspoken fiscal conservative, announced late Thursday that he will step down after the current congressional session ends early next year.
Coburn, 65, has been suffering from a recurrence of prostate cancer and has hinted privately to reporters and in a published interview last week that his health troubles might force him to leave office before his current term expires in early 2017. He had already announced that he would not run for reelection, meaning his decision will have him exit two years sooner than previously planned.
In a statement Thursday evening, he said that he and his family have been "touched by the encouragement we've received from people across the state regarding my latest battle against cancer. But this decision isn't about my health, my prognosis or even my hopes and desires."
"As a citizen, I am now convinced that I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere," he added. "In the meantime, I look forward to finishing this year strong."
Coburn's exit paves the way for a special election. As The Fix notes, he can tender his resignation early so that the state holds the special election on Election Day earlier this year. That would save the cost of holding a separate special election in 2015 -- something the thrifty Coburn would likely prefer -- and would allow for a successor to be seated immediately after Coburn's resignation date.
Coburn was one of two Republican senators who did not vote Thursday afternoon on the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/01/16/tom-coburn-announces-plans-to-retire/?wprss=rss_politics&clsrd
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