Breaking: Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) to retire
posted at 5:56 pm on February 11, 2008 by Bryan
Says Roll Call:
Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) will announce this evening that he will retire from the House upon the conclusion of his current term, according to a well-placed Republican source.
Shadegg faced a challenge from Democrat attorney Bob Lord. He is the 29th Republican to retire or decide not to seek re-election to the House.
Update: Shadegg had raised about $1 million for his race and his district is solidly Republican. No word yet on who the GOP will field to run in his place.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Where are we going?
And what’s with the handbasket?
Slublog on February 11, 2008 at 5:59 PM
His district should be safe.
amerpundit on February 11, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Well, that’s one way for a Conservative to avoid campaigning with McCain this year….
Jack M. on February 11, 2008 at 6:02 PM
I guess he’s got his reasons. Best to you, Mr. Shadegg.
RushBaby on February 11, 2008 at 6:03 PM
At the end of the next 4 years we’re going to be a completely socialized country.
BowHuntingTexas on February 11, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Jeff Flake stole his thunder.
LevStrauss on February 11, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Maybe had they stuck to the ideals on which they were elected we wouldn’t be looking for new GOP guys. Hey — how about someone under the age of 60? That might help.
black campbell on February 11, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Don’t we have Young Republican groups all over the country? Why is it that we seem like an organization with NO farm team?
pecan pie on February 11, 2008 at 6:09 PM
There’s going to be a senate seat in AZ opening up soon
bnelson44 on February 11, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Nevermind, I answered my own question. I just remembered that Conservatives are against big government, so why join one? They’re all out there creating jobs instead. Silly me.
pecan pie on February 11, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Sure. But the problem is that a solidly liberal education from K-12 has turned them into either McCain or Huckabee Republicans. And nobody in their right mind should want to be either of those.
HebrewToYou on February 11, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Agreed. Good point.
pecan pie on February 11, 2008 at 6:15 PM
This sucks.
Gerard on February 11, 2008 at 6:16 PM
As I am a young conservative… do you seriously think many of us want to me in the Republican party?
Look around at all the Moderates in it already.
Why not just make a Conservative Party?
upinak on February 11, 2008 at 6:18 PM
John Shadegg has already endorsed McCain as has Jeff Flake
bnelson44 on February 11, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Again, we are reminded that we don’t have the luxury of not going to the polls, unless we want the Democrats to completely control the country. So, it’s fine if you don’t want to vote for president (or even vote Democratic as I am), but you need to go to the polls and vote Republican for Congress and for state and local offices.
thuja on February 11, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Well, upinak, it’s going to take you and the young conservatives I saw at Fred08 to take the country back in the right direction or your children will never know what it was like growing up in the Republic known as America.
ihasurnominashun on February 11, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Who’s retiring?
amerpundit on February 11, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Because the reality is that unless both parties split and we goto a 4 party system, whichever party spins off a third party will lose for a long time (see 1992, 1996, 2000).
pecan pie on February 11, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Not the 29th ever, right? Could you clarify?
OneGyT on February 11, 2008 at 6:34 PM
According to Roll Call, this year.
Bryan on February 11, 2008 at 6:35 PM
As I have already started doing via my State and supporting Patriotic organizations that are conservative and/or for America(ns) around the country. I have been doing it for a long time.
It it the much younger generations that are going to be a problem. The super nintedo generation (1981 and up) that still have not really been into the real world as of yet. The supposedly educated yet completely ignorant.
The sad part is, and maybe some will agree, but I am not that far off from this generation. Yet I worked my buns off to get where I am at now! And voting Demo or Liberal (the nation) has done nothing but hurt me in my endeavors to climb higher. Maybe they will see that if they elect the next Liberal President. But then some people like to be coddled and take advantage of everything.
upinak on February 11, 2008 at 6:36 PM
And you honestly think it is going to change? I doubt it.
And lets face it… it isn’t just the younger generation that is voting this “crap” in. It is the baby Boomers who don’t want to be without aka healthcare, SS, etc.
upinak on February 11, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Yeah, upinak; you might as well start practicing now:
“Yes, son; I actually remember when you could pick your own doctor and get elective surgery scheduled in the same year. Serious, son!”
“Spanish was not only optional in my day, Son; it wasn’t even required!”
“No, son; salaries weren’t all determined by mandate back in my day. Businessmen were actually allowed to earn based on their work ethic! Work ethic? Look it up in the dictionary; no, the older one. They took it out of the new version. You’ll also find something called ‘personal responsibility’ in there as well.”
michaelo on February 11, 2008 at 6:43 PM
McCain will have to leave the Senate once he is elected president :)
bnelson44 on February 11, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Do we have a list of the 29? Why do I get the sinking feeling it’s not dominated by moderate-to-liberals?
steveegg on February 11, 2008 at 6:47 PM
LMFAO… true so true and I shouldn’t laugh.. but if I don’t laugh now…..
upinak on February 11, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Dammit- we’re losing one of the good ones. Hope we get a decent conservative to replace him.
Hollowpoint on February 11, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Another one? Has anyone looked into the possiblility that there’s some sort of Soros or Flynt funded effort afoot to blackmail some of these guys into retirement?
Infidoll on February 11, 2008 at 7:24 PM
K-Lo at the Corner said it would be easier if the House Republicans who are NOT retiring just raised their hands. She’s got a point.
TX Mom on February 11, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Highly unlikely.
stenwin77 on February 11, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Best barometer in the world for confidence levels of insiders on GOP chances in the general. Why beat their head against a wall for the next 8 years. Get out now while their market value as lobbyists is highest.
a capella on February 11, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Why is it that our guys quit, retire or resign but the other’s don’t leave unless it’s feet first? Don’t get me wrong…not wishing bad on anyone. Just noting theirs stay to the last breath.
Big John on February 11, 2008 at 8:32 PM
The guy sounds tired. I guess I can’t blame him too much.
Deety on February 11, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Good thought, but I’m hoping John runs for AZ Governor and runs our current Gov. Janet Napolitano out of town. I hear that if Obama wins the White House, Janet is on the short list for AG.
Another Janet in the Justice Department…yuck.
DrW on February 11, 2008 at 8:51 PM
He’s only the latest. The young guns should have been put in charge after the 2006 disaster but instead the same old political hacks were left in charge and the energetic conservatives who didn’t lose were told to shut up. Of course they are leaving, they’ve seen the writing on the wall. Get ready for our one party system, it’s coming.
peacenprosperity on February 11, 2008 at 9:05 PM
At her comfirmation hearing she can tell about the board game her son invented based on prison rape. Quite the lovely family.
peacenprosperity on February 11, 2008 at 9:06 PM
That’s the American can do spirit. I guess what we can do is just lay back and enjoy it.
peacenprosperity on February 11, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Prediction:
Shadegg is retiring from the House to run for McCain’s Senate seat, which will be vacated when J-Mac moves into the White House.
jgapinoy on February 11, 2008 at 9:10 PM
He isn’t Napolitano’s son. He is the son of the Democratic Kansas governor, whose name I can’t remember, and who is also manuevering for a place at the feeding trough.
a capella on February 11, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Let’s hope so. The House will be hard to recapture, and virtually impossible if J-Mac loses. No losing candidate in post-war history has seen his party regain control of Congress.
Pax americana on February 11, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Or, the harridan’s FBI files?
BowHuntingTexas on February 11, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Makes total sense…many of these guys hung on because they were the party in power, and got all the perks. Now that they’re no longer in power, they might as well retire.
I believe the same thing happened on the Democratic side after the 1994 elections when the Republicans finally took over.
asc85 on February 11, 2008 at 11:29 PM
The only good news is that this seat is a very safe seat for Republican retention.
azcop on February 12, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Because, without their activism in play, they possess no justification for their existence.
OldEnglish on February 12, 2008 at 2:33 AM
I actually think it is the can do spirit. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m saying that either we goto 4 equally strong parties, which probably wouldn’t happen. Or we work hard to reform the two that we have. Either way it’s alot of work to make things better than they are.
I actually think all we need to do is reform the primary system and things will happen more naturally. That’s the uphill battle, but it could be done if the people united.
pecan pie on February 12, 2008 at 8:26 AM
As said above, it isn’t her son.
Nappy is a hardcore bull lesbian…I’d be shocked to hear she even kissed a man, let alone birthed a child from one.
Tim Burton on February 12, 2008 at 10:21 PM