Rep. Ferguson will not seek reelection

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: The Hill

In a surprise move, Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) announced Monday that he will not be seeking a fifth term.

Ferguson, in a statement, said, "My wife, Maureen, and I have four children, the oldest of whom is 9 years old... Since first being elected in 2000, I have strived to balance my responsibilities to my family and to my constituents."

Ferguson was barely sent back to Congress in 2006, beating Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender by under a percentage point. The Ferguson announcement, a major blow to House Republicans, was unexpected. Unlike other GOP members who have announced their retirement this year, Ferguson had raised an impressive amount of campaign cash. He had over $758,000 cash on hand with over $151,000 in debt as of Sept. 30. Stender, who is running again, has over $227,000 cash on hand, with no debt.

The 37-year-old is the 15th House Republican to retire this year, and the second from New Jersey this month. (Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) announced he will not be seeking reelection on Nov. 9).

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rep.-ferguson-will-not-seek-reelection-2007-11-19.html

[gratuitous]

1. Cue Queen

Another bites the dust, another one bites the dust (clap, clap), another one bites the dust, etc.

Today's Republicans are either fossilized leftovers from 20 years ago, or have never served in the minority, and even a young 'un like Ferguson can see that it's not any fun when you can't even take a leak without the say-so from the chair.

Another open seat for the Republicans to defend in 2008. What's that make, something like 17 or 18? That's an awful lot of campaign money having to be parceled out to unknown and untried tyros. 2008 could be a very bad year for the Permanent Majority.

[cstanleytech]

3. I do admit it looks like they are abandoning ship but

just wondering how many democrats exactly have announced retirements as well this past year or so compared to republicans?

[gratuitous]

5. Not sure on that number

This is the sort of thing that Daily Kos tracks pretty well. I reckon the Democrats are having a few retirements to create open seats, but I haven't heard of any 37-year-old incumbents are jumping off the Democratic ship, as Ferguson is doing here.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. Last I knew

No one in the Senate is retiring, and two have said they will leave the House, but both plan to run for the Senate.

[rockybelt]

8. Great minds

think alike. That is exactly what I thought. Another one bites the dust! Great!

[badgervan]

9. Let Us Hope So

They're dropping like Tom DeLay treated flies, and something tells me it's only going to get a lot worse for the bush enablers in coming months. Less than a year now till we get to vote these sycophants out. I've been doing push-ups daily with my voting finger in revengeful anticipation.

[rodeodance]

2. bye bye

[nradisic]

4. NJ Looking Bluer!

Yes! Linda Stender will win this one for the Dems!

[xxqqqzme]

7. he is only 37 w/ 4 kids, youngest 9 , 4 terms-hmmmmm

I see a lobbiest job in the near future w/ triple the salary he is making now.