Gordon To Retire
By Reid Wilson
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) will retire after 13 terms, he announced today in a press release, becoming the 4th Dem in a potentially competitive district to step down in the past 4 weeks.
First elected in 1984, Gordon had a solid hold on his seat, winning his past 5 re-election bids with more than 60% of the vote; his office said he has never lost any of the 15 counties he represents. He is stepping down, he said, after re-evaluating his future.
"When I was elected, I was the youngest member of the Tennessee congressional delegation; now, I'm one of the oldest. In fact, I have members of my staff who weren't even born when I took office. That tells me it's time for a new chapter," Gordon said in a statement.
But regardless of the reason, Gordon leaves open a seat Dems could have trouble defending. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) won the district in '08 by a 62%-37% margin, and national GOPers instantly characterized it as a lean-GOP seat that is likely to eventually fall into their hands.
Gordon joins Reps. John Tanner (D-TN), Dennis Moore (D-KS) and Brian Baird (D-WA), all of whom have announced they will step down since Thanksgiving. GOPers are thrilled with their prospects in all 3 seats.
Likely contenders for the GOP nod in his Murfreesboro-based district include Rutherform Co. GOP chair Lou Ann Zelenik (R), who has been running for months, and state Sen. Jim Tracy (R). Tracy was going to jump in the race after the new year, but a source confirms to Hotline OnCall that he will make known his intentions to run for the seat sooner, now that Gordon is out.
UPDATED: A Dem source points out early names floated as possible Gordon replacements, including state Reps. Mike McDonald and Hank Fincher, Wilson Co. Property Assessor Jack Pratt, Wilson Co. Sheriff Terry Ashe, ex-state Sen. Andy Womack and Kent Syler, a top Gordon aide.