We need a good Democrat to take Peterson's seat.

Q TODAY – POLITICS
Updated Jan. 3, 2008 – 1:11 p.m.
GOP Rep. Peterson Will Retire at End of Term
By Kathleen Hunter, CQ Staff

Six-term Rep. John E. Peterson , a member of the House Appropriations Committee who represents a solidly Republican swath of rural Pennsylvania, announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of this term.

Peterson, 69, cited family medical problems as the reason he will not seek re-election. “Unfortunately, although still young at heart, a few chronic, non-threatening health issues have to be addressed at home, requiring me to devote more time to my family – time and presence which would not be possible if I sought re-election,” he said in explaining his decision.

He is the 18th Republican currently serving in the House to announce that he will not seek re-election in 2008. Five currently serving Democrats also will leave the House after this Congress.

Prospective candidates to run for Peterson’s House seat have until Feb. 12 to qualify for the April 22 primary election.

Republicans have the early advantage to retain Pennsylvania’s 5th, which takes in all or part of 17 mostly rural counties in northern Pennsylvania, including Penn State University in State College. President Bush took 61 percent of the district vote in the 2004 election, and Peterson took 60 percent of the vote or more in each of his six general election campaigns.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma described the district as a proven “Republican stronghold” and said the NRCC would work with local Republicans to field a replacement candidate.

Among those exploring a race is state Sen. Jake Corman, a Republican who has served in the state legislature for 10 years. Corman said Thursday that he hoped to decide within the next week whether to toss his hat in the ring.


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