Industry, consumer groups disappointed over Boucher loss

House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher's (Va.) reelection loss has prompted a common reaction among industry and consumer groups that usually agree on very little: they are sad to see him go.

American Cable Association President Matthew Polka said on Wednesday that Boucher has been "at the center" of telecom policy for nearly three decades, during "a profoundly transformative period covering the break up of AT&T and the explosive arrival of the global Internet."

Polka said that Boucher "understood that good policy is made when concept confronts opportunity, and he went about the business of lawmaking with erudition, calm civility and intellectual rigor in an effort to locate the most desirable outcome for the nation and his rural Virginia district."

Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge, also expressed disappointment over the loss.

“Tonight the Congress has lost one of its most intelligent and tech-savvy members. Rick Boucher has been one of the most moderate and thoughtful voices on communications and intellectual property policy," she said. 

Boucher arguably introduced more technology and telecom legislation in this session than any other House member. He drafted bills to address online privacy, reform for the $7 billion Universal Service Fund so it devotes money to broadband, and incentive auctions to give more spectrum to the wireless industry.

Boucher won 46 percent of the vote, compared to 52 percent for his Republican opponent Morgan Griffith, according to FiveThirtyEight.