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Pickering will not seek reelection |
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By Jackie Kucinich
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Posted: 08/17/07 12:09 PM [ET] |
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Rep. Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) confirmed late Thursday night that he would not seek a seventh term in the House, becoming the third senior GOP lawmaker this week to say he would retire. His decision came on the heels of the announcement by Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) Thursday afternoon that she would leave at the end of the 110th Congress, and preceded the announcement of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), who is scheduled to say Friday afternoon that he will also not seek reelection. In a statement Thursday evening, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) said he was confident the seat would remain a GOP stronghold, adding that he would miss working with Pickering. “I was his pollster before coming to Congress myself,” Cole said. “Chip is one of the finest people and best public servants with whom I have ever been associated.” Pickering was long thought to be the successor to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). |
