Rep. Ferguson (R-N.J.) will not seek reelection

[ProSense]

Rep. Ferguson will not seek reelection

By Jackie Kucinich
November 19, 2007

In a surprise move, Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) announced Monday that he will not be seeking a fifth term.

Ferguson, in a statement, said, "My wife, Maureen, and I have four children, the oldest of whom is 9 years old... Since first being elected in 2000, I have strived to balance my responsibilities to my family and to my constituents."

Ferguson was barely sent back to Congress in 2006, beating Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender by under a percentage point. The Ferguson announcement, a major blow to House Republicans, was unexpected. Unlike other GOP members who have announced their retirement this year, Ferguson had raised an impressive amount of campaign cash. He had over $758,000 cash on hand with over $151,000 in debt as of Sept. 30. Stender, who is running again, has over $227,000 cash on hand, with no debt.

The 37-year-old is the 15th House Republican to retire this year, and the second from New Jersey this month. (Rep. Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) announced he will not be seeking reelection on Nov. 9).

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[bluestateguy]

1. Stender is running again

In 2004, Bush took 53.9% of the vote in the NJ-7th. It's winnable.

[rurallib]

2. Nother rat off the ship.

Man a lot of rats have jumped. 37 is pretty young to retire.