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Lungren may challenge Boehner for top spot |
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By Jackie Kucinich and Susan Crabtree
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Posted: 11/12/08 06:23 PM [ET] |
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Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) will soon decide whether he will mount a challenge to displace Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), his spokesman said Wednesday.
“He has been busy making calls and he has received strong encouragement from members to run,” said Lungren spokesman Brian Kaveney. “He has not made a final decision but will most likely make it in the next 24 hours.”
Like Boehner, Lungren voted in support of the $700 billion so-called bailout bill to rescue ailing financial institutions.
Lungren was nearly swept away by the Democratic wave last week, winning just 49.5 percent of the vote.
In 2006, he lost a race for Conference chairman to Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), who will step down from the number three position this year.
Lungren has been a vocal member of the House Judiciary Committee, defending the Department of Justice’s handling of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys against Democratic attacks during the scandal that led to the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Boehner announced last week he would once again seek the top House GOP leadership position. If Lungren decides to forgo a challenge, Boehner could run unopposed.Boehner's office declined to comment for this article. Lungren did not publicly support Boehner, Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) or John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) when the three lawmakers ran for majority leader in 2006.
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