GOP sources confirm that Rep. Tom Reynolds, a Western NY Congressman since 1999 and ex-NRCC chairman, will announce around noon tomorrow in Buffalo that he will not seek re-election this fall. Reynolds spokesman LD Platt did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
Reynolds of course was NRCC chair just last cycle, presiding over both the Mark Foley page scandal and his party committee’s fundraising scandal. His departure shoots this R+3.5 seat up the takeover charts, and the great news is that we already have an excellent candidate here in Iraq war vet Jon Powers. I’m even more excited about this race now.
P.S. Powers campaigned today with fellow Democrats Dan Maffei and Eric Massa in Rochester, raising the issue of how we care for our veterans. He blogged about it here.
P.P.S. (James Hell) I guess those earlier rumors that Reynolds shot down came true, after all.
given the vacuum at the top of the House GOP. Blunt has already hit the glass ceiling, and I’m not privy to the good rumors, but I wonder if Boehner would have to resign the speakership if the GOP loses 20+ seats this fall. Cole isn’t going anywhere, a bunch of seniors including Davis retired…
Anyway, I sure am glad he’s leaving. This should be a much easier win. Wonder if we still get that State Senate seat…
Reynolds actually did a great job shofting resources around to hold the GOP loss in the House to 30 seats. Unlike Liddy Dole, his side won a lot of close races. The most typical NRCC expense last cycle was for polling: funds were shifted accordingly. Reynolds was one of the smart ones; not one of the loud mouths or the nuts.
He departs with cash on hand of $862,609, the highest for a NY Republican. Next in line are challenger Sandy Treadwell ($754,812, NY-20) and Peter King in NY-3 ($604,240). Joe Bruno may have a big mouth but aside from the US Attorney spot, the GOP has few assets in NY State.
Cash on Hand for the three other GOP incumbents running in NY State: McHugh, $203,402; Kuhl, $326,513; Fossella, $250,501. The first quarter numbers will be interesting to say the least. Arcuri and Hall are looking safer and safer, aren’t they?
We went from 27 to 26, when Foster won IL-14. Now we’re back up to 27.
Who’s going to put “Another One Bites The Dust” in this thread?
Good news, I’m glad to see another one saying ‘Bon voyage’. My only problem would be if this propels Davis to run again, creating a bloody primary between Powers and Davis.
Is this the last of the retirement, will a few more trickle in, or will this open the flood gates for another bad week for the GOP?
some of the people who comment on here are just plain ridiculous.
to BAYSTER — who said that he/she would like to see some of the Blue Dogs go — do you just not get it? every district cannot be represented by a Barbara Lee or Barney Frank. It just isnt possible. And it wouldnt be good for our Party or country either. Why don’t we try to just elect the democrats that best fit their district instead of always trying to push the most progressive or furthest left candidate. Keep in mind that if it wasnt for the Blue Dogs- – we would be DEEP in the minority — and would stay there!
runs for prez in about ten-fifteen years.
i thought Johnson was sorta grooming him to take over in 7 years…