Washington (CNN) – Arizona Republican Rep. John Shadegg is retiring from Congress, a GOP source confirmed to CNN Thursday.
The story was first reported by The Rothenberg Political Report.
Shadegg, who was first elected in the 1994 GOP landslide, is the third Republican to announce retirement plans, following Rep. George Radanovich of California and South Carolina Rep. Henry Brown.
It's not the first time Shadegg has decided to call it quits: He announced he would not run for re-election in Feb. 2008, but was encouraged to run again by his colleagues.
Shadegg's district is reliably conservative. In 2008, John McCain won the district over Barack Obama by a 56-42 margin.
UPDATE: In a statement, Shadegg called his decision "particularly hard" but said "it is time for me to take my life in a new direction and to pursue my commitment to fight for freedom in a different venue."
"As the Obama Administration and Speaker Pelosi grow further and further out of touch with average Americans, evidence continues to build that 2010 will be a record year for Republicans running for Congress," he said in the statement. "And, I am extremely confident that the people of the Third District of Arizona will elect a solid conservative."
UPDATE 2: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said he is pleased Shadegg finally followed through on his original retirement plans.
"Now we are assuming that he really is retiring," Van Hollen laughingly told CNN's Dana Bash.
Van Hollen noted that 14 House Republicans have announced plans not to run again in 2010 either to retire or seek higher office. Just 11 House Democrats have done so, he said.
From CNN Politics
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If Arizona and Nevada are smart enough to get rid of their Republican representatives, they would have a better life.
well you won't be missed. good riddence.
This seat will definitely be won by a Republican.
Arizona citizens/voters have had it regarding the Democrats support of illegals-–and they will NO way vote in a Democrat to take this seat.
In other words, I refuse to represent my people just because things aren't going my way. Another GOP quitter.
The GOP will just ignore this retirement and chatter on about how many Democrats are leaving ... would guess the nasty partisan "take no prisoners" atmosphere instead of the historical "We're all Americans – we can disagree without being disagreeable" ... which is why the Senate dining room is empty: no one wants to be seen with "the enemy" – the guy or gal who used to be his fellow American.
Let's not forget that the President almost won Arizona. I think this seat is up for grabs.
Whatever dude... Republicans are still "Stuck on Stupid".. heck, the proof is the fact that you all would put a dim witted female (Sarah Palin) in the presidency... Now that's what the majority of American don't understand....
One less reckless, baby-waving Conservative in Congress. This IS good news.
Fight for freedom? From what? Is this guy enslaved? And what's the difference between a "solid" conservative and a "loose" conservative? Fiber?
I have the misfortune of having him as my rep. Swept in with the Contract on America, wanted term limits when he was on the outside and changed when he was on the inside. He wanted to retire last time around too, but was pressured to stay by the party. Just another party first over personal integrity politician.
Too bad it wasn't Grandpa McCain or that nutcase Kyl. That would improve our government substantially.
Hey, let's obsess about the rash of republican retirements for the next 5 days, ok?
Continuing your "fight for freedom" – what the hell is that? As for out of touch – I think he's confused, it's the republicans that are out of touch. Thats why their party has been annhilated over the last election cycles.
Pat Roberts is the scum of the earth.
I just find it so laughable that Republicans can say things like, "As the Obama Administration and Speaker Pelosi grow further and further out of touch with average Americans, evidence continues to build that 2010 will be a record year for Republicans running for Congress" I feel it's just the opposite – Republicans are very out of touch with the average American and are trying to say/do anything to get wrest back control. Show me – where/how is the Administration out of touch with Americans? Obama is doing just as he promised – trying to reform health care (which Republicans had more than enough time to do when they were in office, but wanted to fill their coffers instead), help bring the nation, and the world, back from the brink of financial disaster, and juggle a humanitarian crises, and keeping our nation safe. Thanks for retiring, Mr. Shadegg.
Good, may he have lots of time to buy tin foil, put it on his head and dream about other crazzy looney-tunes like the deathers, birthers and Sarah Failin.
Jerk! Good riddance!
To borrow a phrase used by the Republicans....'Rats deserting the sinking ship'. I'm sorry Mr Shadegg and friends...Obama isn't losing touch with Americans, the conservatives have lost touch with modern times and reality.
Waiting patiently for the mainstream corporate media mouthpieces to make as big a deal about this as they did regarding Democratic retirements.
Not too many congressmen exploit a baby for political purposes. He will not be missed.
"As the Obama Administration and Speaker Pelosi grow further and further out of touch with average Americans, evidence continues to build that 2010 will be a record year for Republicans running for Congress,"
Riiggghhhhttttttttt..................
Makes perfect sense. He claims that the Republicans are going to clean up, which is why he needs to leave. Sure. Go with that.
Of course, more Republicans than Democrats are retiring/not running for re-election. And of course that fact will be ignored as the meme, "Democrats afraid of 2010 are nt seeking re-election" continues in the mainstream media.
IF this was a Democrat the headline would read "Another Falls"........ however, its a GOP. So no, explosive headline.
So far FOURTEEN GOP members of the House have announced their retirement, with Mr. Shadegg, its now....... 15.
Shadegg said, "particularly hard" but said "it is time for me to take my life in a new direction and to pursue my commitment to fight for freedom in a different venue." "Different venue" is Code for Corporate America!
"As the Obama Administration and Speaker Pelosi grow further and further out of touch with average Americans..." "...out of touch..." is Code for Not our Kind of American! Ya know, the kind that worships the free market, WARS, Financial Capitalism with ALL the Rest of this Bag Of Tricks!
Very T-R-A-N-S-P-A-R-E-N-T, indeed!
Can ya take John McCain with ya?
Granted, there are Americans (if you want to call them that) who voted for him and the space cadet, known as Palin last year. But come on? Any person (i.e. John McCain) that would consciously run a campaign, which if successful, would have the Alaskan Moose Governor as our VP, is one that did not reflect : Country First. Its more like stupidity first and everything else can wait.
How can this idiot say Pelosi and the Obama adminstration is out of touch, hell his party has to be the most out of touch bunch of clowns in D C. good riddence one less dummie that rejects everything this President tries to do.
Hello....CNN!
Why is it that you ran a story a couple of weeks ago about Democrats fleeing Congress in droves and yet you are only reporting Republican retirements as if they're isolated incedents?
Look at the headcount...and report fairly.
Another RAT is jumping the sinking Republican ship.