Hooley Announces Retirement

Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-Oregon) announced today that she will not be running for re-election, becoming the first Democrat from a competitive seat to announce her retirement this election cycle.

“I have decided to pursue different professional opportunities in 2009, and will not be filing for the election to the US House of Representatives in 2008,” Hooley said in a statement.

“I will be forever grateful to the people of Oregon for giving me the opportunity to serve them these last three decades, and will continue to devote myself to repaying that debt.”

The six-term congresswoman was a leading centrist in the Democratic caucus, winning a Salem-based district that narrowly voted for President Bush in the last two presidential elections.

The district gave President Bush 50 percent of the vote in 2004.

Hooley has played a lead role in working to crack down on identity theft, supporting legislation that would allow consumers to a free, annual credit report and a bill requiring banks and credit agencies to make greater efforts to crack down on fraud.

Republicans already have a have a candidate with the ability to self-fund a campaign in shipping entrepreneur Mike Erickson. But Erickson only raised $73,000 in the fourth fundraising quarter, giving him just $131,000 on-hand for the campaign.

UPDATE: The National Republican Congressional Committee issued a statement today that appears to endorse Erickson's candidacy, even as other potential GOP candidates may be taking a second look at running for the seat.

“Darlene Hooley’s decision not to run is a testament to the candidacy of Mike Erickson. He will be in a strong position to compete for the seat given his strong record as a businessman and as an aggressive campaigner. There is a potential pickup opportunity here," said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain.

The filing deadline in Oregon closes March 11.