McCarthy announces he'll run for Thomas' seat in Congress

[Judi Lynn]

McCarthy announces he'll run for Thomas' seat in Congress

Tuesday, March 7, 2006
03-07) 14:42 PST Bakersfield, Calif. (AP) --

Assembly minority leader Kevin McCarthy said Tuesday he's in the race to replace Rep. Bill Thomas, his former boss and longtime Republican ally who is leaving office.

Thomas, 64, announced Monday he would not seek re-election, leaving open the 22nd District which covers most of Kern and San Luis Obispo counties and northeastern Los Angeles County.

McCarthy, 41, R-Bakersfield, a former Thomas aide, was elected to the Legislature in 2002. In 2003 he was chosen to lead the Assembly's 32 Republicans, and was up for re-election this year.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/03/07/state/n144243S60.DTL

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Article Last Updated: 03/07/2006 5:42 AM PST

Congressman's retirement could be costly to state By Michael Doyle

WASHINGTON — Republican Bill Thomas on Monday announced he would retire January 2007, leaving a big hole in the clout, though maybe not the heart, of the California congressional delegation.
Speaking at a Bakersfield news conference, the 64-year-old Thomas acknowledged some growing fatigue in saying he wanted to retire while he still had his fastball.

"Although I hate to admit it, (the ages) 65 and 35 do give you a slightly different look at jumping into an airplane and going cross-country and doing some of the things that we've done for almost 30 years," Thomas said with his wife, Sharon by his side.


Famed for his smarts, his political muscle and his blunt and sometimes imperious manner, Thomas amassed a remarkable record in 28 years. He feuded with his colleagues, berated White House officials and systematically mastered the tools of the legislative trade.

Particularly as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee for six years, Thomas played a crucial role in pushing President Bush's tax cuts, trade policies and Medicare drug plan. At the same time, he has kept his hands on the local levers, influencing everything from congressional redistricting to rebuilding Success Dam near Porterville.

"I'm disappointed, because we lose a lot when Bill steps down," Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said. "We lose a lot of clout in Washington. We lose a lot of horsepower."
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http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/news/ci_3576935

http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/Pictures/Persons/002599/002599-188791.jpg

[UCLA02]

1. What a pandering asshole!!

He is my state assemblyman and such a smooze. He's been carrying Thomas' bags around my area for years. I swa this coming a few years ago when he (sut ties) with Thomas and ran for his own position.

I live in Jesusland, CA, and he will win in a landslide.

And that pic on the right, our local newspaper (aka "Kevin McCarthy's personal newsletter") prints that pic every other day each time McCarthy farts or even thinks of our podunk little town.

I was actually hoping Thomas would wait a few terms. I actually had a moment of gradeur a few years back thinking of running. I guess Thomas just can't imagine life without the gavel of the W&M committee shoved squarely up his ass.

I continue to tremble for my country.