Newly re-elected Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri (R) is leaving Congress.

[sinkingfeeling]

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/22/retiring-congresswoman-leads-2013-lobbying-revolving-door/?hpt=hp_t3

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, who won easy re-election to her 10th term in Congress in November, is expected to officially leave office soon to take over a job as head of one of Washington’s largest and most influential trade associations.

On November 6, Emerson defeated her Democratic opponent in Missouri with 72% of the vote, a huge margin of victory. Yet, nine days after her election, she announced her resignation in order to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The current CEO of the group is a former congressman, Glenn English of Oklahoma. According to public records, his salary is approximately $1.6 million a year.

A special election to replace Emerson will likely be held in April, according to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. A spokesman for that office told CNN that the cost of that election will be approximately $951,000.

[winterpark]

1. Government only spends too much money when it's for the collective good of

the American people. When it comes to these asshats resigning right after an election they spent mudslinging the other side in order to line their personal pockets, then, hey, it's ok to waste our money.
Fuckers!

[atreides1]

2. You go where the money is

And there wasn't much money serving her constituents...was there?

[Politicalboi]

3. If she had plans on bailing before the election

She should HAVE to pay for the special election. That should be the rule for all of them. Unless it involves a serious illness, or hardship of family in some sort of way. Going on to make millions and leaving the taxpayers to pick up your tab shouldn't be the way we do it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I so agree!

[sadbear]

5. Cashing in.

Damn. For some reason, I thought they passed laws that prohibited congresspeople from leaving Congress and IMMEDIATELY going into lobbying. I thought there was some kind of waiting period. I guess I was wrong.

[unblock]

8. i'm guessing that this isn't a registered lobbying firm.

it's probably a firm that consults with lobbyists, though.

just enough to satisfy the letter of the law, i'm sure.

[unblock]

6. always happy to see a republican go, but wow! missouri should sent her the bill!

seriously, i would think a state legislature in a state that handles such vacancies via special election would be happy to pass a law saying that anyone who resigns from congress to take a job outside government should pay for the ensuing special election.

well, actually, that presumes they have principles. in reality, they can all to easily envision themselves doing exactly that and wouldn't want to be stuck with THAT bill!

[NightWatcher]

7. they should have to pay for the special election..just like if she tried to cancel a cell phone plan