Rumor: Rep. Buyer not running again

[democraticinsurgent]

Local talk show host Abdul (1430 AM) reports on Twitter that his reliable sources tell him that Steve Buyer is "retiring".

Last night CNN ran a lengthy story about Buyer's Frontier Foundation fiasco, which he has publicly dismissed as "problem resolved".

If Buyer does not run, it must be directly related to this brewing scandal. He's completely safe otherwise.

Former two time candidate David Sanders just announced a 3rd run for the seat. No idea who would pick up the torch for the R's.

[caraher]

1. Let's hope so

though honestly, I think he's misreading his district if he thinks this scandal would unseat him. My local paper in his district has refused even to acknowledge the story, and they never said boo about his refusals to debate.

I wonder what will crawl out from under some rock to carry the Republican torch if he does step aside?

[democraticinsurgent]

3. Agreed

It must be way uglier than we can imagine right now. This is a tempest in a teapot for most R's and you're right, this district is about 58% republican. With 2010 leaning away from Dems, he'd be safe unless he's going to be in jail.

[democraticinsurgent]

2. It's happening at 11am EST

U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer will announce this morning he is not running for re-election.

The Republican, first elected in 1992, represents Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, which stretches from his hometown of Monticello in northern Indiana south to Mitchell.

Buyer has come under fire for a charitable scholarship organization he founded, The Frontier Foundation, which has raised money from groups and businesses with interests before the committees he serves on in Congress. The group has spent money on lavish golf outings, but so far has not given out any scholarships. Buyer has said he is waiting until the group had raised $1 million, in order to be self-sustaining.

Sources close to the congressman, though, said his decision was prompted by family concerns, which would be explained at the news conference.


http://www.indystar.com/article/20100129/NEWS05/100129016/Buyer-expected-to-announce-retirement

[caraher]

4. "Family concerns?"

Like the fact that he involved his family in his access-peddling scheme?

[democraticinsurgent]

5. Wife has incurable disease

Just now coming out.

[caraher]

6. That's a shame

Too bad it wasn't just the usual politician's "be with the family" excuse rather than someone dying. It certainly makes more sense than a sudden concern over the foundation.

[IndianaGreen]

7. and he was ripping off people with his so-called charity

which he used for expensive golf trips.

[democraticinsurgent]

8. no doubt about it

and i'm sure it probably played a role in his decision. however, absent his wife's illness, i don't see him walking away from a very safe seat. i worked on Ackerson's campaign last time and even though it was a decent effort and Obama won the state, it wasn't close.