Jennifer Dunn to retire from the House

[mndemocrat_29]

Here's the article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2001847720_webdunn30.html

U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn, Washington state's senior Republican in Congress and a favorite of the Bush White House, told The Associated Press tonight that she's retiring from politics.

Dunn, 61, who had been courted by President Bush to run for the U.S. Senate this fall, said she has decided to serve out her sixth House term and then retire from public life.

She cited family considerations — she's newly remarried — and a desire for one more career after politics. She endorsed no successor in her Republican-leaning 8th District in Seattle's eastern suburbs.

Dunn was chairwoman of the state Republican Party for a decade before winning her congressional seat in 1992. The Bellevue native was regularly re-elected by large margins, and had been a heavy favorite to win again this year. She already had amassed a warchest of about $1.5 million.

This is a great, great opportunity for Democrats this cycle. Both this seat and Pennsylvania-15 are open seats that we could definitely take. While recruitment for PA-15 has not been going well (run Lisa Boscola, run), this seat is even more Democratic-leaning than PA-15, with 48.6 percent going to Gore and another 3.1 percent going to Nader. Both seats, however, in a cycle that'll be very difficult to take back the House, are must wins.

[UrbScotty]

1. Great news!

Here's to another pickup!

[mndemocrat_29]

2. I'll drink to that!

:toast:

[DU9598]

3. Thanks for the update

That is terrific news. I am really hoping that Stephanie Herseth from South Dakota can win the seat vacated by Janklow. She came so close to beating a well-known Janklow ... she should be able to beat the relatively unknown state legislator that she is running against.

It is really time to focus on taking back the house. I remember the repubs were so successful with their "cut their pay and send them home" campaign. We need to echo that sentiment.

[NewJerseyDem]

4. This is fantastic

The democratic candidate there Alex Alben is a very good candidate and this district is a swing district. Hopefully, nobody else will get in and cause a primary and I believe Alben has raised a lot of money and may scare away a primary challenge. This race seems like a tossup that if anything leans democratic.

[goobergunch]

5. Excellent!

And a great pick-up opportunity!

:party:

[jono]

6. Fantastic news!

:toast:

Heidi Behrens-Benedict for Congress!

[mndemocrat_29]

7. Add that Billy Tauzin will likely retire at the end of this cycle

Here's the article: http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-1/107544765981610.xml

The district went slightly for Bush, but considering the trends toward Democratic victories in Louisiana, this could be another pickup.