(Marty) Meehan (D-Mass) Likely to Leave House in July

[babylonsister]

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3113.html

Meehan Likely to Leave House in July

By: Josh Kraushaar
March 13, 2007 03:46 PM EST


Rep. Martin Meehan (D-Mass.) has been selected by the University of Massachusetts-Lowell President Jack Wilson to be that institution’s new chancellor. If approved by the school’s Board of Trustees, the eight-term congressman would resign his House seat in July.

“The decision to leave the House has been the most difficult professional decision of my life,” Meehan said in a statement. “It has been a true honor to represent the people of my district and of our state in the House of Representatives.”

The vacancy would create a scramble for the Democratic-leaning Lowell-based House seat. At least seven Democrats have either said they would run, or have expressed serious interest.

Niki Tsongas, wife of former Sen. Paul Tsongas (D-Mass.), former Lowell mayor Eileen Donohue and Middlesex County Sheriff James DiPaola already said that they plan on running for the seat. State Reps. Barry Finegold, Jim Sully and James Eldridge are also considered potential candidates.

On the Republican side, Lawrence mayor Michael Sullivan has been mentioned as a possible candidate. The district is solidly Democratic, and only gave President Bush 41 percent of the vote in 2004.

Gov. Deval Patrick now has to call a special election between 145 and 160 days after Meehan officially submits his resignation. Once the governor picks the date, the secretary state will set filing deadlines for candidates.

[AX10]

1. How safe is this seat?

[Greeby]

2. It's Massachusetts

Last election, half the seats weren't contested by Republicans, and the other half, the Repukes were easily crushed

[TayTay]

3. It leans Democratic

However, there are a lot of red towns in the district, including several who did not vote for Kerry in '04. (I live in one of them.)

As with all races, the general election should be fought as if it were neck-and-neck.

[AX10]

9. I got a feeling that area tended to be more conservative than the rest of...

the state. My brother used to do some work up there and I could tell this area was not like many other parts of the state. He was up there for 3 months, but it was enough time for me to tell. (this was right before the 2000 election)

[Breeze54]

10. It leans Democratic? Sounds pretty solid to me!

The district is solidly Democratic, and only gave President Bush 41 percent of the vote in 2004.

I think southern towns are more Repub. Compare Attleboro, Medfield & Westwood.

[Cobalt Violet]

4. opps.

I got him mixed up with Markey. I always do that although they pretty different. He's my rep now. I've had one or the other for the past 20 yrs depending on where I live. I'll still vote Dem.

[AlCzervik]

6. Markey used to be my rep, the Mass coalition is awesome, you people are lucky.

[peacetalksforall]

5. Marty Meehan is a fighter with guts and makes sense without fail. I'm sad.

I'm not a constituent so don't follow him closely, but haven't disagreed with anything I've heard his say. Are his vote consistent?

[Vadem]

7. I'm heartbroken! Does anybody have any idea as to why Marty...

is leaving the House???? He is one of our best warriors in fighting the BFEE!! Please, anyone with any input on this development, please let the rest of us know what is going on!!!!

[Mass]

8. He does not want to stay in the House for ever. If he can get a

better paid job, in his hometown, close to his kids, he is winning.

[DemKR]

11. Meehan's just mad he can't run for Senate in 08 that's all

I say we keep the seat, but we should by no means consider this a shoo-in. This area is not as blue as other areas of the state.