GOPer Rick Renzi To Retire-Rejoice, Arizona!

[babylonsister]

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/aug/23/goper_rick_renzi_to_retire

GOPer Rick Renzi To Retire
By Greg Sargent | bio

And another one drops, bringing the number of House GOPers who are retiring to five. And counting.

Muck-encrusted GOP Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona won't seek reelection, he says in a statement to Roll Call (sub only):

“I will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. I am honored and thankful to serve Arizona’s first district and appreciate all that we have accomplished together over the past 6 years.”

Renzi's departure swells the list of GOP Reps. planning to step down at the end of the 110th Congress, a list that now includes Reps. Ray LaHood, Deborah Pryce, Chip Pickering, and former speaker Dennis Hastert.

Though Bush won the GOP leaning district by 54%-46% in 2004, the Dems are considered to have at least a decent shot at flipping it. Dem State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick recently resigned and announced she'll make a bid for the seat, and at least two other Dems are talking about running.

Renzi's retirement, however, does allow the GOP to try to find a candidate for the district who isn't weighed down by his ethical baggage. Though he was able to survive a tough challenge last year, his political situation has worsened in the wake of an FBI raid of a business linked to his family, a raid that was part of a federal probe into his Congressional activities.

Check out our full coverage of Renzi over at TPMmuckraker.

[Xipe Totec]

1. He's thankful to have served Arizona?

Arizona got served alright...

[merh]

2. And the ever growing list is:

Hassert
Pryce
Pickering
Renzi

Word is Hassert will resign in November, wonder if the others will leave office early too.

Wonder what their connection is? Is it Abramoff?

[babylonsister]

3. Rumor has it John Warner might retire, too. nt

[merh]

4. My gosh - campaign public relations folks are dancing happy

jigs, they will be so very busy with new campaigns.

:hi:

[babylonsister]

6. I hope some 'progressive' Dems are waiting in the wings. Anyone

Rahm recommends needs to be looked at seriously.

:hi:

[merh]

8. I despise anyone that Rehm's suggests

the DLC is blowing a chance for our party to make a difference and improve the lives of everyone - they know that, that is what they are all about.

[blondeatlast]

5. Sadly, we may get worse considering where his dostrict is, but at least they

won't have the seniority.

[Desertrose]

7. Oh thank heavens....

Its about damn time!

YAY!!:bounce:

DR