3-Term NY Rep. Bill Owens Decides Not To Seek Re-Election

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Three-term New York Rep. Bill Owens, who narrowly won re-election in 2012, has decided not to seek another term.

The Democrat said in a statement that it was time for him to embark on new endeavors and spend more time with his family.

Owens prevailed with 50 percent of the vote in the last election and his New York seat north of Albany stands as a potential pickup for Republicans.

The congressman is a member of the Appropriations Committee. His announcement comes on the heels of several Democratic retirements 10 months before the election.

Read more: http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/65058c46125a4da7825dd7c0086b2039/US--New-York-Democrat-Retirement/#.UtV2ONLYAWc

[democratisphere]

1. Incumbents are feeling mighty insecure based on the approval rating of Congress.

Cleaning (the) House and Senate would be a good start.

[hedgehog]

2. This is a very rural, very Republican area

"The 21st Congressional District of New York spans more than 16,000 square miles, making it one of the largest districts east of the Mississippi River. It comprises all or part of the following 12 counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer (partial), Jefferson, Lewis, Saratoga (partial), St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington."

http://owens.house.gov/district/

[Capt. Obvious]

3. DOUG HOFFMAN'S MOMENT TO SHINE!!1!!1!

[RoccoR5955]

4. That's an oxymoron if I have ever heard one

Doug Hoffamn and shine?
I don't think so.
But then again, a teabagger from way upstate NY, might just win it all.

[redwitch]

5. This upstater not happy to hear this news.

Surrounded by teabag nation here. I know lots of great, sane people, just vastly outnumbered. We do not need another teabagger in D.C.

[brooklynite]

6. Id say he owes me $500

He called me asking for support in December (we used to talk 2-3 times a year). I'f I'd known he was planning to bail, the money could have gone to a more deserving candidate.