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Cramer to retire from conservative Alabama seat |
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By Aaron Blake
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Posted: 03/13/08 10:03 PM [ET] |
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Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2008, ending an 18-year House career and opening up a competitive district. The nine-term Democrat’s retirement leaves a conservative seat vacant and hands Republicans, who are dealing with a plethora of retirements, a rare open seat takeover opportunity of their own. It is the second open seat in the state, as Rep. Terry Everett (R) announced last year that he would leave Congress in 2008. Cramer, 60, said in a statement that he came to the decision after speaking with his family and that he wants to return home. The district voted for President Bush in 2000 and 2004, 60-39 in the latter year, but has not been contested by Republicans since the mid-1990s. It is only the second Democratic-held open seat that appears conducive to a takeover, with the other being Rep. Darlene Hooley’s (D-Ore.). Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), thanked Cramer for his service. “He is an honorable and remarkable advocate for his constituents and a leader on NASA and TVA issues in Congress,” Van Hollen said. “Bud’s work helped to keep and create many jobs in his district. We wish Bud and his family all the best as he begins the next chapter of his life.” |
