The Hill
reports that Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra will not seek
reelection in 2010, and will instead run for governor. His
district went 60 percent for Bush in 2004, but only went 50.8
percent for McCain, so it's a possible pickup opportunity for the
Democrats. It raises the larger question of how badly hurt
Republicans will be by retirements next time around. This year,
the GOP's fate was sealed far in advance when a rush of
retirements created a lot of open Republican seats for Democrats
to target. The Hill notes:
The retirement list could still grow. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.)
is considering a bid for a Senate seat left open by the
retirement of Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). Rep. Elton Gallegly
(R-Calif.), the third-ranking Republican on the Intelligence
Committee, had to be convinced to run for a twelfth term in
2008, leaving some to wonder whether he will run again in two
years.
It's the vicious circle of being in the minority. Veteran members
of Congress don't want to be stuck in the minority, so they
retire in greater numbers just as it's more difficult to recruit
strong candidates to run for office.