Republican Rep. Jim Walsh of New York is expected to announce his retirement soon, according to a GOP aide familiar with the decision, giving Democrats another pick-up opportunity following a wave of Republican retirements this cycle.
The veteran appropriator had a tough reelection fight in 2006 and was expected to face another challenge in the fall.
It marks another surprise retirement for the GOP. Moderates Republicans have been particularly depleted in recent years, both through retirements and losses in the 2006 midterm. As a result, House Republicans have adopted a more conservative thrust during the 110th Congress.
Walsh's office could not be reached for comment.
Walsh was first elected to the House in 1988. Walsh's father, William Walsh, was mayor of Syracuse during the 1960s, followed by three terms in the House.
The NY-25 is a very blue district, with a partisan index of Democratic 3.4 (and growing). Walsh was faced both with the prospect of not receiving the conservative party endorsement because he wasn't crazy enough on Iraq, and the much more serious challenge from Democrat Dan Maffei. Two years ago, Maffei came within 1% against Walsh, and will now be poised to take the seat in 2008.
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