Rep. Shadegg (R - AZ) to retire

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: The Hill

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) announced Monday that he would not seek reelection

Shadegg, 58, was first elected to represent Arizona’s 3rd congressional district in the Republican wave of 1994. Known for his staunch opposition to earmarks, Shadegg ran for House majority leader in 2006 after Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) resigned from Congress. He lost that race to Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio).

“The bottom line is that this is a personal decision between my family and me, about our dreams, goals, and ambitions, and we have concluded that it is time for me to seek a new challenge in a different venue to advance the cause of freedom,” Shadegg said in a statement.



Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rep.-shadegg-to-retire-according-to-gop-source-2008-02-11.html

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The article says he's the 29th Republican House member who will not run for reelection this year. I missed out on the record breaking number 28 it would appear. :(

[Parche]

1. Retire

Now we need Issa, Souder, Mica, Burton, Blackburn, Sensenbrenner,Gingrey, Tom Price to retire
Make Congress awesome again.......:hi:

[tekisui]

2. The gopper congress critters have a funeral to attend this November.

:rofl:

Hell better make room for an entire party.

[napi21]

3. Soooo, dowe have any Dem who could take that seat? I know

AZ is a pretty Pub State.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. Bob Lord is expected to run per the article

I don't know anything about him other than that he's earned 612K towards his campaign.

[lonestarnot]

11. I do, check him out in the AZ forum. He rocks.

[DesertRat]

6. I doubt it

Shadegg's district is one of the reddest in the state.

[lonestarnot]

12. Well I have single handedly turned it blue.

:rofl: :tongue:

[saracat]

15. I live a couple of doors away from Shadegg and we are turning "Blue'.

CD 3 is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. This is now an open seat and we will win! This also helps the down line and will help my husband's state Senate run.This is wonderful news. I may walk over to John's and thank him? is a gift basket in order?

[DesertRat]

21. I'd love to know Shadegg's real reason for leaving.

[aquart]

23. Perhaps a sympathy card?

Good luck with the state Senate!

[Solly Mack]

4. Something's fishy...

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. You mean because Shadegg has stepped down all of a sudden?

I've been looking, with no luck, to try and see how he's polling against Lord. I'm not sure that's the reason though.

I read where someone said the other day that Republicans haven't adapted to life in the minority and that the party lacks a cohesive strategy to rebound. I just cannot recall where or who it was that said it now. I really want to say it was a Republican strategist though.

Perhaps these public servants didn't really care about serving and were only acting as representatives for the power the position gave them. Now that power's gone and they're ready to take their ball and go home.

:shrug:

[Solly Mack]

9. There have been a lot of republicans stepping down

for various reasons...

and I'm always suspicious of anyone stepping down to "spend more time with family", as is often the stated reason

and I do wonder what the real reason is for Shadegg stepping down

however

...it was a play on his name :)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. LOL!

I'm so slow tonight. :P

[napi21]

17. I think they all recognize they don't have a chance at the majority

again for a LONG TIME, so they decided to get out! The minority is really no fun, and especially if there's a Dem Prez!

[aquart]

24. They don't want to throw good money after bad.

They know it's gonna be a bloodbath.

[ChazII]

7. Perhaps he has his eye

on McCain's senate seat should McCain win the White House?

[lonestarnot]

13. Never make it there.

[saracat]

16. Nope.He just returned corupt money on Monday.The investigation must have found more!

[MadMaddie]

19. There ya go...hopefully criminal charges will follow

[lonestarnot]

14. LOL 29th.

[bluestateguy]

18. Isn't his district Scottsdale and Paradise Valley?

Do the Democrats have anyone who can win there?

[saracat]

20. Not really. Central and North phoenix. We have a candidaste that has raised a boatload of money!

And the DNC, for what they are worth, has deemed us "competitve".

[Ian David]

22. The Republicans are stepping down to spend The End of Days with their families...

... before Bush pushes the button and kills us all.

[alstephenson]

25. Yippee!!! Great news!

I live in AZ District 3. Good riddance, Shadegg. Have fun "advancing the cause of freedom".:puke:

[ReformedChris]

26. I think this is a change in in the Republican Guard: The Gingrich Repuke's are bailing..

as they have less and less impact in the party and in Congress. It is going to be a VERY long time before the House will be in any position to be in Republican hands. I think the Senate will always be up for grabs, but the House is going to solidy Democrat for a political generation.

[rdmtimp]

27. Door. Ass. Way. Out.

:toast: