Susan Davis reports on Congress.
New York Republican Rep. Tom Reynolds announced today that he won’t seek re-election this fall, adding to the growing number of Republican retirements and increasing Democrats’ hopes of growing their majority.
Reynolds is the 22nd Republican lawmaker who will retire when the 110th Congress ends later this year, according to a count compiled by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. His suburban Buffalo-area district is all but certain to be targeted by Democrats for a potential seat gain.
Another 12 Republicans will not be returning next year for a variety of reasons: Rep. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) was appointed to the Senate, Rep. Bobby Jindal (R., La.) was elected governor, New Mexico Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson of New Mexico are both running for the open Senate seat, Rep. Luis Fortuno of Puerto Rico and Rep. Kenny Hulshof of Missouri are also seeking another office.
One Republican, Rep. Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland, was ousted by a primary challenger last month, while Reps. Richard Baker and Dennis Hastert resigned before their terms expired. A Democrat, Bill Foster, won Hastert’s seat in the special election to replace him. Three other Republicans died in office.
In contrast, only six House Democrats are not seeking re-election. Three lawmakers are retiring and three are seeking higher office. Three other Democrats have also died in office this Congress, and Rep. Marty Meehan of Massachusetts resigned before his term was up.
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Link:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/03/20/another-house-republican-opts-for-retirement-2/?mod=googlenews_wsj
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