The Republican Retirement Watch Continues

The retirement watch continues for House Republicans this week, days after two more senior members announced they would not run for reelection in the fall.

In Missouri, all eyes are on Republican Reps. Jo Ann Emerson and Kenny Hulshof to see if either jumps into the race for governor following Matt Blunt's decision last week not to run for reelection.

And Virginia Rep. Tom Davis, the ranking Republican on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee who passed on an expected bid for the Senate last fall, is expected to make an announcement Wednesday about his future in Congress, according to a GOP aide. Davis, who shoudl face a tough challenge should he opt to run for reelection, just watched the federal government deny funding for a massive light-rail extension in northern Virginia.

Late last week, Republican Reps. Jim Walsh of New York and Dave Weldon of Florida both announced plans to retire at the end of this year, opening two more seats on the powerful Appropriations Committee for those members who remain.