Pryce Won't Seek Re-Election, Republican Aide Says
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20070815/pl_bloomberg/afjmnlzkgyw;_ylt=AgtDdemiYqkwEN76Pl1HUZms0NUELaura Litvan 1 hour, 4 minutes ago
Aug. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Representative Deborah Pryce of Ohio, an eight-term lawmaker who has served in House Republican leadership posts, will announce tomorrow that she won't seek re- election, according to a Republican congressional aide.
Pryce won her race in November by just 1,062 votes after Democrats highlighted her support for the Iraq war and her role as House Republican Conference chairwoman, the fourth-ranked party leadership post.
She joins two other Midwestern Republicans in announcing retirements. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is to announce Aug. 17 that he intends to leave Congress after more than two decades in office. Representative Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican, said last month that he won't seek re-election next year.
David Wasserman, House editor of the Washington-based Cook Political Report, said Pryce's decision is a blow to Republican leaders, who have urged their members to remain in office to avoid giving Democrats opportunities to win open seats.
``This really came out of nowhere,'' Wasserman said. ``She's always been a team player, and this is a tough time for Republicans to defend close seats.''