Well, a new addition to the list of those not running in the 2010 campaign cycle is none other than corporate shill, Steven Buyer. The nine-termed Mr. Buyer, who last year made himself notorious as being the man who made the "it's not the nicotine that kills, it is the smoke" during debate over the House bill to increase the FDA's power to regulate tobacco products, has attributed his decision to the need to look after his wife, who is ill.
He is currently the ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' affairs.
More below the fold.
I never get tired of watching that.
From CQ Politics:
Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) announced Friday that he will not seek re-election this year because his wife is ill.
Buyer, the top-ranking Republican on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, said at a tearful press conference in Indianapolis that he is forgoing a bid for a 10th term to spend more time with his wife, who he said has an "incurable autoimmune disease."
Buyer has faced questions about the operations of his scholarship foundation, which has raised money from donors with business before the Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Buyer sits. Buyer has said he asked for guidance from the House ethics committee.
Buyer is the 15th House member to announce plans to retire or seek other office. Eleven House Democrats are not seeking re-election.
His district is pretty strongly Republican and went for McCain by 56% in 2008. I wish him and his family well.
Any thoughts? Feelings? Speculations? Predictions? Feel free to share in the comment section.
UPDATE:
A comment from below which links to an article with a good reason why Buyer is retiring:
Buyer is... (3+ / 0-)
Recommended by:
KingofSpades, drmah, MinistryOfTruth
..retiring because of a looming scandal...
http://www.politico.com/...
Your diary needs to mention this.
UPDATE X2: Another good reason why Buyer is resigning:
Guys... (1+ / 0-)
Recommended by:
KingofSpades
If you read the local Fox affiliate story of Buyer's announced retirement, the disease his wife has is the same one that killed her sister less than 2 years ago. It looks to be hereditary.
It may be that that was exactly the reason he's retiring, and the scholarship fund story may not be the main impetus.
by BruinKid on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 10:12:12 PM EST