(Rep. Brian) Baird Retires in Washington State

Source: Washington Post

Washington Rep. Brian Baird (D) will not seek re-election in 2010, becoming the tenth Democrat -- and the third within the past few weeks -- to announce that he will leave his seat.

"The time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving," Baird said in a statement released tonight. "This is not an easy decision to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision at the right time."

... Baird, first elected to the 3rd district in 1998, had solidified his hold on this southwestern Washington seat over the past decade. He had been re-elected with more than 60 percent of the vote regularly despite the fact that then President George W. Bush carried the seat in 2000 and 2004. President Barack Obama won the district 53 percent to 45 percent last November.

Given the demographics, Republicans are likely to target Baird's seat in 2010. More broadly, Baird's retirement will increase chatter within Democratic circles that potentially vulnerable members are jumping ship rather than running the risk of losing their seats in what is shaping up to be a tough 2010 election.

Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/baird-retires-in-washington-st.html

The Republicans have talked about maximizing retirements. They even made a list of likely members. I wouldn't put it past them to be blackmailing some of these members into retirement. Especially in swing districts, it's pretty easy for an opposition party to claim nasty things about an incumbent and be believed. GWB became Governor of TX by claiming that Gov. Richards caused an increase in crime while statistics were showing a decrease. If you don't have a deep connection w/ your constituency "big lies" (when will you stop beating your wife) like that are hard to combat.

for reelection. He's been an effective legislato with an independent streak; a pretty good fit for his district. He doesn't come across as a bullshitter, so he probably means what he says. We'll need a strong candidate. The Republicons will throw the kitchen sink at this one. Let's hope they pick a right wing dingbat.

and they've won. Most notably, that included wingnut Linda Smith, who nearly got Patty Murray's Senate seat.

I used to live in this district. Outside of Vancouver, it's a bit scary.

but it has been safely blue rather than swing for some time. Obama carried it handily. Baird got more than 63% in his last race which was closer than 2004 or 2006. It was rated "safely Democratic" by CQ.

He and his family got death threats during the craziness last August. I wonder if he didn't decide that for his family's safety he shouldn't return to his original career as a college professor.

For some reason it seems more Democrats and Republicans are retiring then usual in the run-up to the 2010 elections, even those that would appear to be in "safe" seats. It looks like there are going to be a lot more "open" seats then normal in 2010. I'm curious why so many are choosing to retire, not that I buy into the vague "they are being forced to" conspiracy theories.

from one end of the political spectrum to the other. It's probably a pretty uncomfortable time to be a politician.

Good, they should be uncomfortable, because they are doing a lousy job.