Has a big-name Republican senator or congressman from your state bowed out?

[Maddy McCall]

Resigned, refused to seek an additional term? Let's list some names here.

In my state, Trent Lott resigned in December 2007 after being reelected in 2006. Obviously, he only ran for reelection to secure the seat for Republicans, and had planned to resign all along. His plans were to resign late in December 2007, at which time Mississippi's Republican Governor Haley Barbour would appoint a replacement and delay the senate election until the general election in November 2008. This would give Barbour's appointment a leg-up and secure the seat for his Republican appointee (Roger Wicker). Thankfully, Mississippi's Attorney General pointed out that the MS Constitution states that, since Lott resigned in 2007--a year in which no general election is set--, a special election will have to be held to replace Lott.

(Lott only resigned in December 2007, because on January 2008 a new law goes into effect which states that he'd have to wait two years to begin lobbying, where, if he resigned in 2007, the delay would only be one year. He wants to get in on the public funds while Bush is still doling it out to his friends, I suppose. So much for "to spend time with my family.")

Republicans of course are grumbling and griping about the "expense" of the most fundamental expression of democracy. Whether the election will be within the constitutional 90 days or at the same time as the presidential election is yet to be decided. (Nevermind that we're having primaries on March 11, which is within the 90 days and would be a great time for Mississippians to vote on the Lott seat--Republicans conveniently overlook that fact.)

Also in Mississippi, Congressman Chip Pickering, a former Lott aid, announced that he won't seek reelection in 2008. This rising young star of the Republican party, and son of one of Bush's most contentious court nominations Charles Pickering, also wishes to "spend more time with my family." Which, again, translates to "get in the private sector while the gettin's good."

So, what's going on with Senate and Congress seats in your state?

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

1. Hastert the Crook

Go Laesch!!

[CottonBear]

2. No, but my Republican congressman, Charlie Norwood, died

only to be replaced by another Republican. *sigh*

The GA GOP redistricted my Democratic congressman out of my district so he moved to Savannah and won a seat down there.

[Fresh_Start]

3. Criminal Doolittle is not running for reelection

love to see him in prison

[BOSSHOG]

4. Hi Maddy

Although I'm glad he did it, I don't understand babour appointing Wicker to Lotts seat. Lott gave up a whole bunch of senatorial seniority and then barbour takes a whole bunch of seniority out of the house. I think LA has had a couple of republicans quit their house seats and jindal's seat is open.

Don't tell anyone but jindal might be in a little more ethical trouble then he thinks relative to him just forgetting to report the 118,000 dollars he got from the gop to slime dems last summer. He's an incredibly slimy little bastard.

And Chris John is chomping at the bit to kick david vitter's ass in 2010.

[Maddy McCall]

7. I, too, was amazed that Barbour replaced Lott with Wicker.

Can't wait to hear more about this Jindal scandal...I'll have to do some googling!

And it will be a sweet day when Vitter has to pack his diapers and leave Washington. :D

[TwilightGardener]

5. I don't know if Hagel is "big name", but he's calling it quits.

We have a Repub now switching parties and running as a Dem for his seat (Raimondo), since we don't have any actual Dems running. And Mike Johanns (former NE gov and BushBot Ag Sec) and Jon Brunning (NE attorney general and all-around asshole) are duking it out on the R side. Hoping Scott Kleeb gets in.

[dkofos]

6. No. But I have 2 I wish would.

[AlCzervik]

8. John Doolittle (R) in district 4 which is in my attic, i'm in 3 and i hope to hell

my (R) asshat gets the booted come November.

[VP505]

9. One Senator retiring

and one Congresswoman wanting to take his place. With a little luck she will loose and we will get rid of them both.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. No, and I don't know why.

Don Young and Ted Stevens are both under federal investigation.

[Maddy McCall]

12. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

BTW, I always admire your photos of ice and snow. Here are some of my photos from Mississippi's big snow on January 19. SOUTH Mississippi!









:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

14. Wow, that's just incredible!

I bet that doesn't happen too often. We are having more snow than normal this year, too, after a slow start. I love it.

[NNN0LHI]

11. This guy: Jerry Weller (IL-11)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/19/115930/165/224/387247

the respected capitol fax blog reports "Congressman Jerry Weller is not yet circulating his nominating petitions." for those who don't know, candidates have to collect signatures to get their names on the ballot in illinois, collecting an equivalent of .5% of the number of partisan voters in the last primary election. the daily southtown, a local paper of sorts for the northern end of the 11th congressional district in illinois, also notes:

Rumors are circulating that Weller may decide against another term, particularly in light of the bad press he is receiving over his Guatemalan financial interests. Phone calls, I'm told, have been made to his top donors indicating he may be preparing to "hang it up." His family, after all, lives in Guatemala. That's a long commute.

bored now's diary :: ::
not to mention weller's recent naming as one of the "22 most corrupt" in congress, in an annual report by citizens for responsibility and ethics in washington.

weller feeds the "republicans are corrupt" meme, and his getting subpoenaed recently in the duke cunningham investigation/brent wilkes trial reinforces that.

the good news is that emily's list and local democrats have been talking to illinois senate majority leader debbie halvorson about running for this seat, regardless of what weller decides. the daily southtown reports that "Halvorson is meeting with Emily’s List recruiters this month to discuss a possible congressional bid." recent comments might indicate a desire to get out of the current environment in springfield. but, as the southtown notes, she could run without having to give up her senate seat -- a choice preferred by most incumbents.

halvorson would be an incredibly strong challenger -- and would probably clear the democratic field if she gets in the race. her entry, especially with the support of national groups like emily's list, would instantly pull this seat into the competitive column (doesn't hurt that weller has many ethical problems). and if it became an open seat, halvorson's candidacy could put this into the leans democrat column fairly quickly.

[Maddy McCall]

13. VERY interesting!

Good luck to Debbie Halverson!

[IDemo]

15. I'm not sure if "bowed out" would be the right stance..

[Blue-Jay]

17. "tapped out"?

[IDemo]

18. "Stalled"

[backscatter712]

16. Senator Allard is retiring.

I believe Congressman Udall is running for his seat. :thumbsup: