GOP Congresswoman Cubin To Retire
Roll Call is reporting that Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-WY) will reportedly announce her retirement tomorrow.
Cubin has been absent from the House for much of the year, caring for her ill husband back home in Wyoming. Cubin had already been facing a primary challenge from state House Majority Leader Colin Simpson, the son of former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), as well as a second campaign from 2006 Democratic nominee Gary Trauner.
In Cubin's special case, the open seat might actually improve the GOP's chance of holding the seat. Despite representing an overwhelmingly Republican state, Cubin barely won re-election last year after she threatened to hit the Libertarian candidate — who was himself in a wheelchair.
Comments (5)
Daniel wrote on November 9, 2007 2:30 PM:Campaign Diaries rated this seat Lean Retention, but it is likely that this will increase the chances that the GOP keep the seat... AFter all, Cubin survived by a point in 2006 after she threatened to slap a man in a wheelchair!!
Utopia wrote on November 9, 2007 4:11 PM:Would it be too snarky of me to ask how long it will take for Rubin to get that phony smile off her face? Mind you, I'm just asking.
U
I agree that this makes Gary Trauner's job in heavily Repub Wyoming (in a Presidential year to boot) even harder -- not doubt that a lot of his votes last time came from Wyoming voters who were embarrassed/ disgusted/ angry at Rep. Cubin's antics.
However, an open seat is not a forgone GOP slam dunk -- perhaps they're clear the field for Simpson in the primary (which would make him an even stronger favorite) but it is also possible that there will be a messy Repub primary that damages the eventual nominee (who would hopefully be a real wing-nut crazy right winger) -- How do we make sure the Club for Growth decides to wade into this primary?
Trauner has name ID and campaign experience from the 2006 -- let's hope things line up for him to take this seat in 08...
Wyoming is my state, and I have mixed feelings about her retirement. She had become an easy target on several fronts, and I'd been saving e-mails from her showing her idiocy (for instance one last month in which she still claims that 9/11 and Saddam are linked) to use as ammunition.
Simpson's father is a still highly revered GOP power in the state, so his son will be formidible. Gary Trauner who lost by only 1,000 votes in 2006 has knocked on doors all over the state and still gets high marks for his campaign, but 2008 will be more difficult without Cubin for comparison. Wyoming has barely hit the 20th century in thinking, let alone the 21st.
I hope the DNC pours money and help into Gary's campaign.
MonkeyBoy wrote on November 9, 2007 11:52 PM:Am I right in recalling the the TPM empire was keeping a list of all the congrescritters and senators who announced they would not re-stand for election?
If so where is it? If not then maybe they should.
