Updated at 12:10 p.m.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., will not seek reelection next year - a huge blow for his party in one of the most conservative seats still held by a Democrat.
The Oklahoman reports Boren will make his announcement this afternoon in his hometown of Muskogee. Boren is the first House member to retire outright rather than to seek higher office. Still, Boren's profile isn't typical of most Members mentioned for possible retirements - he's only in his fourth term and is only 38 years old.
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., will not seek reelection next year - a huge blow for his party in one of the most conservative seats still held by a Democrat.
The Oklahoman reports Boren will make his announcement this afternoon in his hometown of Muskogee. Boren is the first House member to retire outright rather than to seek higher office. Still, Boren's profile isn't typical of most Members mentioned for possible retirements - he's only in his fourth term and is only 38 years old.
(RELATED: Who is Dan Boren? Read his almanac profile)
Boren resides in one of the most conservative districts in the country and was Oklahoma's only remaining Democrat in the delegation. His district voted 66 percent for John McCain in 2008, and in 2004 gave George W. Bush 59 percent. Despite those totals though, he had easy reelections, winning with 70 percent in 2008 and last year, despite a GOP headwind, staved off his Republican challenger by 13 points.
His conservative voting record has helped him even as his expansive southern Oklahoma district has remained deeply conservative. In 2008, he even declined to endorse Barack Obama in 2008, and earlier this year, he was one of just three Democrats to side with Republicans in voting to repeal the health care reform law. In a statement after Boren's announcement, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel thanked Boren for his "distinguished service" and expressed confidence voters would elect a Democrat "who will fight against the Republicans' plan to end Medicare and will represent the middle class families of this district." But without Boren on the ticket, it's tougher for Democrats to hold the seat, especially in a presidential year. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Paul Lindsay called Boren "last of a dying breed of Democrats" in a release. Boren's predecessor, former Democratic Rep. Brad Carson, is poised to enter the race and has been calling state and local Democratic officials to inform them of his decision. (PICTURES: Who else is leaving the House?) Now a professor at the University of Tulsa, Carson ran for the Senate in 2004, but lost to Republican Tom Coburn. Carson told Hotline On Call Boren called him this morning after informing his staff of his decision. "It came as a complete surprise and a disappointment that he chose to step down," said Carson. "He was kind enough to call and let me know. He knew I was still concerned about a lot of issues." Carson said he still thinks the district is winnable for a Democrat. "I don't think the district has changed that much in the last seven years. I think Dan did a great job, and I think my voting record would be similar to what Dan's was," said Carson. "The next few months that will be the heart of the effort--this campaign will cost upwards of $2 million." And there could be a hotly-contested Democratic primary. Former state Sen. Kenneth Corn said he's also likely to enter the race. Corn, who was term-limited out of the legislature last year, was the party's nominee for lieutenant governor last cycle. "I am considering the entering the race and am likely to enter the race," said Corn, who said he was also surprised by Boren's sudden exit. Corn, who is the 2nd District Democratic Chair, said he's gotten nearly 100 calls from friends, supporters and past donors encouraging him to get into the race, and he'll make a decision by next week. He said Carson's entrance won't have any bearing on his decision. "I think Republicans will try to target this seat, but the people of the 2nd district of Oklahoma are looking for someone who's looking to use common sense, and I think the Democratic Party does that and there won't be any problem with Democrats holding this seat," said Corn. Possible Republican candidates include state Sen. Josh Brecheen and state Rep. George Faught. Boren was first elected to the House in 2004, and hailed from one of the state's most prominent Democratic families -- his father served as both governor and U.S. Senator and his grandfather served in Congress for more than a decade. CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed Boren's age. He is 37, and turns 38 in August.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/06/report-boren-won-t-seek-reelection-07
Boren resides in one of the most conservative districts in the country and was Oklahoma's only remaining Democrat in the delegation. His district voted 66 percent for John McCain in 2008, and in 2004 gave George W. Bush 59 percent. Despite those totals though, he had easy reelections, winning with 70 percent in 2008 and last year, despite a GOP headwind, staved off his Republican challenger by 13 points.
His conservative voting record has helped him even as his expansive southern Oklahoma district has remained deeply conservative. In 2008, he even declined to endorse Barack Obama in 2008, and earlier this year, he was one of just three Democrats to side with Republicans in voting to repeal the health care reform law. In a statement after Boren's announcement, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel thanked Boren for his "distinguished service" and expressed confidence voters would elect a Democrat "who will fight against the Republicans' plan to end Medicare and will represent the middle class families of this district." But without Boren on the ticket, it's tougher for Democrats to hold the seat, especially in a presidential year. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Paul Lindsay called Boren "last of a dying breed of Democrats" in a release. Boren's predecessor, former Democratic Rep. Brad Carson, is poised to enter the race and has been calling state and local Democratic officials to inform them of his decision. (PICTURES: Who else is leaving the House?) Now a professor at the University of Tulsa, Carson ran for the Senate in 2004, but lost to Republican Tom Coburn. Carson told Hotline On Call Boren called him this morning after informing his staff of his decision. "It came as a complete surprise and a disappointment that he chose to step down," said Carson. "He was kind enough to call and let me know. He knew I was still concerned about a lot of issues." Carson said he still thinks the district is winnable for a Democrat. "I don't think the district has changed that much in the last seven years. I think Dan did a great job, and I think my voting record would be similar to what Dan's was," said Carson. "The next few months that will be the heart of the effort--this campaign will cost upwards of $2 million." And there could be a hotly-contested Democratic primary. Former state Sen. Kenneth Corn said he's also likely to enter the race. Corn, who was term-limited out of the legislature last year, was the party's nominee for lieutenant governor last cycle. "I am considering the entering the race and am likely to enter the race," said Corn, who said he was also surprised by Boren's sudden exit. Corn, who is the 2nd District Democratic Chair, said he's gotten nearly 100 calls from friends, supporters and past donors encouraging him to get into the race, and he'll make a decision by next week. He said Carson's entrance won't have any bearing on his decision. "I think Republicans will try to target this seat, but the people of the 2nd district of Oklahoma are looking for someone who's looking to use common sense, and I think the Democratic Party does that and there won't be any problem with Democrats holding this seat," said Corn. Possible Republican candidates include state Sen. Josh Brecheen and state Rep. George Faught. Boren was first elected to the House in 2004, and hailed from one of the state's most prominent Democratic families -- his father served as both governor and U.S. Senator and his grandfather served in Congress for more than a decade. CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly listed Boren's age. He is 37, and turns 38 in August.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/06/report-boren-won-t-seek-reelection-07