November 09, 2007
Saxton Retirement Could Deepen Blue Jersey
Rep. Jim Saxton is expected to announce today that he won't run for re-election, putting yet another dent in the Republican Party's hopes of being competitive in 2008.
Saxton was already being targeted on-air by groups critical of his vote against a proposed $35 billion expansion of SCHIP, a health care program for poor children. That bill has yet to survive a presidential veto, to the consternation of advocacy groups who've gone up with TV and radio ads targeting Republican lawmakers in an effort to sway their vote.
Politicker NJ is reporting that state Sen. Diane Allen is in line to be the Republican candidate for this seat. Democratic state Sen. John Adler of Camden County announced in September that he would challenge Saxton.
Saxton, 64, is serving his 12th full term in New Jersey's 3rd District. The House Democrats' campaign arm has been eyeing that district for flip potential; in 2004, President Bush and John Kerry made out about even. According to AP, Saxton is now the 14th GOP member of the House to retire since last year's midterms.
Posted at 3:10 PM
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Campaigns, Congress, House
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