Roll Call is Reporting that Renzi will not seek re-election. Now the Dominoes start to fall.
Here's my (alphabetical) list of viable potential candidates. Feel free to chime in, but please be polite. Ken Bennett, Rusty Bowers, Sidney Hay, Bill Konopnicki and Kris Mayes.
UPDATE: I'm reminded that I forgot O'Halleran. On the Democratic side, Ann Kirtkpatrick has already resigned to run and is the only announced candidate. Steve Owens is the other obvious Democratic candidate. Other than that, I don't have any special knowledge, so I'll rely on the comments.
Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) said in a statement obtained by Roll Call that he will not seek re-election in 2008, ending months of speculation regarding the ethically clouded Congressman’s political future.
“I will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. I am honored and thankful to serve Arizona’s first district and appreciate all that we have accomplished together over the past 6 years.”
Renzi’s retirement announcement adds to a list of GOP Members planning to depart upon the conclusion of the 110th Congress, including Reps. Ray LaHood (Ill.), Deborah Pryce (Ohio) and Chip Pickering (Miss.), as well as former Speaker and Rep. Dennis Hastert (Ill.).
But while some of those retirements and the open seats they are creating could cause problems for the Republicans’ hopes of recapturing the majority, Renzi’s departure could help the GOP by allowing them to nominate a replacement that is free of the ethical baggage that appears to have ultimately undone the Congressman’s futur
Renzi staved off a spirited challenge from his Democratic challenger last cycle, but saw his political fortunes plummet following an FBI raid of a business connected to his family as part of a federal probe into his dealings as a Congressman.
Renzi has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but it has become increasingly clear that the investigation would imperil any 2008 re-election bid, and possibly result in him facing multiple GOP primary challengers.
Rusty Bowers? I thought he lived over in Northeast Mesa? If he's in CD1, I'd love to see him run... when I think of honesty & integrity, Sen. Bowers comes to mind.
Posted by: Mr. Conservative | August 23, 2007 at 08:00 PM
I was going to chime in with a few good ones about someone like Mayes taking Renzi's place until I saw Greg ask "please be polite."
Posted by: Timothy | August 23, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Tom O'Halleran? Steve Pearce?
Posted by: John | August 23, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Bill Konoponicki (sp?)
Posted by: Republican George in Mesa | August 24, 2007 at 12:03 AM
Whatever happens - there is one guarantee - the media outlets who live and die by advertizing won't be crying - they just saw their bottom line to up
Posted by: ron | August 24, 2007 at 06:29 AM
I hope that Steve Owens isn't our nominee. Talk about a dead fish. We need a tough-as-nails red meat progressive to get the folks in Sedona and Flag excited. Owens is a milquetoast, never-take-a-stand DLC conservative two-time loser.
Even though Kirkpatrick isn't the brightest bulb in the box, I'd take her anyday over him.
Btw, Greg, someone has been posting as me in the other thread (the one that is about Mitchell and Pelosi). That ain't cool.
Posted by: netrootsdemocrat | August 24, 2007 at 12:53 PM
What is wrong with Kris Mayes?
Posted by: Jay | August 24, 2007 at 02:48 PM
On the D side..let us not forget Mary Kim Titla.
Posted by: dryheataz | August 24, 2007 at 03:02 PM