|
By Susan Crabtree and Mike Soraghan
|
|
Posted: 11/09/07 03:42 PM [ET] |
Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) will retire at the end of this Congress after 22 years in the House, striking another serious blow to his party’s reelection efforts.
In addition, GOP sources expect Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) to announce her retirement Saturday at a meeting of state party officials in Casper.
Saxton is the 15th House Republican either retiring or running for higher office, and his seat could be difficult for the party to hold. But a retirement by Cubin could strengthen chances that Republicans will retain her at-large seat.
Saxton was reelected with a comfortable 58 percent of the vote in 2006 and has never won less than 57 percent. Still, his exit could open the door to an expensive campaign for control of the swing southern New Jersey district. In the last presidential election, 51 percent went to President Bush, while Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) received 49 percent. In 2000, former Vice President Al Gore won 54 percent of the vote, compared to 43 percent for Bush.
In a statement, Saxton said recent health problems contributed to his decision. The 64-year-old has been treated for prostate cancer and chronic sciatica, a painful and sometimes debilitating leg condition.
“Although I intended to run in 2008 and was planning a strong campaign, recent developments regarding my health have prompted me to make this decision,” he said in the statement. “I plan to serve out the remainder of my current term in the 110th Congress. I will continue to receive medical treatment, and my healthcare providers have indicated the prognosis is, in fact, very positive.”
Democratic state Sen. John Adler, who jumped in the race in September, was expected to give Saxton his first genuinely difficult race in his more than two decades in the House.
Adler begins the race with a leg up on potential Republican challengers, but Saxton’s retirement could also spur interest from other Democrats who see a better opportunity with the incumbent out of the race.
Adler has challenged Saxton before, losing badly in 1990. But after running successfully for state Senate the following year, he has risen to chairman of the Judiciary Committee and has become a much more formidable foe.
"I respect Congressman Saxton's decision to step down and I wish him well in his future endeavors, but I will continue my fight to change the direction of our community and our country," Adler said in a statement.
Cubin has missed many votes this year while tending to her husband’s health problems, and she has health problems of her own. In 2006, she only narrowly beat Democrat Gary Trauner in a state generally considered a Republican stronghold. Trauner has announced plans to run again.
Bill Winney, a retired naval officer who got 40 percent of the vote when he ran against Cubin in the 2006 GOP primary, recently announced he would run again.
State GOP Rep. Colin Simpson, of Cody, had said that he planned to run against Cubin.
Tom Sansonetti, a former Bush Justice Department appointee who was a finalist for the Senate vacancy created by the death of Craig Thomas (R), is also a potential candidate. Sansonetti is now helping coordinate the state’s early nominating contest.
Other Republicans who have announced plans to run include Cheyenne substitute teacher Swede Nelson and Casper businessman Kenn Gilchrist.
Aaron Blake contributed to this report.
|
