Rep. Kleczka to retire

Here's the link: http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/jan04/202543.asp

The 10-term House Democrat, a born-and-bred south-sider who observers believed had a lifetime lock on the 4th District, will not seek re-election this fall, he told the Journal Sentinel.

The surprise announcement leaves the seat open for only the third time since 1948 and seems certain to set off an election free-for-all with a broad ripple effect across the local political landscape. A primary in the 4th District is only eight months away and likely will be the decisive contest in the district, which is dominated by the Democratic Party.

If the next 4th District representative follows the path Kleczka took, contenders could come from a group of Milwaukee-area Democrats that include state Sens. Tim Carpenter, Gwen Moore and Spencer Coggs, and state Reps. Shirley Krug, Sheldon Wasserman, Jon Richards and Peggy Krusick, just to name a few.

Kleczka's move is particularly surprising because post-census redistricting removed the Waukesha County portion of the 4th District and added Milwaukee's north side. That made it rock-solid Democratic turf: the entire city of Milwaukee and a handful of Milwaukee County suburbs with blue-collar roots - West Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis, South Milwaukee and part of West Allis.

But it is a safe seat.

prior to redistricting, Kleczka's district consisted of the south side of Milwaukee and some conservative suburbs that actually made it slightly GOP leaning. Had he left, it would've been winnable to the GOP. But the new district contains the city of Milwaukee and a few inner ring liberal suburbs. It voted Gore over Bush 65.5/30.3, so it'll be safely retained. Look for Thomas Barrett to run for it again if he doesn't win the mayoral race.

He's been a very good congressman. But, it should be very safe for the democrats. Hopefully, there will be a very good replacement for him. There will probably be a massive battle among a lot of democrats for his seat on the Ways and Means Committee. If Sandlin loses in Texas there will be 2 opening on the committee and a lot of people will want those positions.