While I am saddened to see a bright, hard-working moderate (staunchly pro-business and open trade, but also pro-choice and pro-gay rights) Republican retire, Jim Kolbe's announcement opens up another opportunity for a Democratic pick-up in the 2006 contests for the US House of Representatives. A Democratic pick-up is far from a sure thing, but Kolbe's district is one that can feature a competitive race. Out of the names that are already being discussed for this opening, I find State Sen. Gabrielle Giffords to be the most intriguing so far (and check out this photo!).
Oh, and one request of the media - please don't report that the only gay Republican in Congress is retiring. Kolbe is the only openly gay Republican in Congress. It's extremely unlikely that he's the only gay Republican in Congress.
Posted by armand at November 25, 2005 11:53 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Politics