Bush Dog Bud Cramer Won't Run for Re-Election

by: Mooncat

Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 21:28

Sources say Cramer announced he would retire after 18 years in the House of Representatives, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.  The announcement is totally unexpected ("a bombshell" according to several local Democrats) and comes with just three weeks left before the April 4 filing deadline.

Cramer was facing Republican Ray McKee, widely regarded as a token candidate, who is running on the fair tax and not much else.  A stronger Republican is likely to step into the race now that the seat is open.

Cross posted from Left in Alabama. 

Who will be the Democratic nominee?  Madison County Democratic Party Chairman Doug Dermody declined to name any likely candidates but said "There will be a strong Democrat running and I'm confident we will hold this seat."  At about 190,000 registered voters, Madison is the most populous county in the 5th District.

Some names being tossed out by local Democrats:

• Steve Raby - Huntsville political consultant and former aide to the late Sen. Howell Heflin.  His lobbyist ties might be a handicap this year.
  
• Dr. Parker Griffith - Huntsville resident and State Senator for District 7 elected in 2006.
• Tom Butler - Madison resident and State Senator for District 2, currently serving in his 4th term in the Alabama Senate.  It's worth noting that Butler is one of the Senate Democrats who caucuses with the Republican minority.
• Randy Hinshaw - Meridianville resident and State Rep. for District 21, currently in his second term.
• Susan Parker - Currently serving as Public Service Commissioner, Parker ran a strong campaign for Senate against Jeff Sessions in 2002.  I'm not 100% sure that she still lives in the district, but she's widely known and well liked and would be a very strong candidate if she's interested. 

Cramer's announcement came as a surprise to most local Democrats.  If he has a hand picked successor, it should become apparent soon since that person will be the only one prepared to hit the ground running tin an attempt to fill Cramer's shoes. 

Given the political climate and the excitement level of local Democrats, there's no way this will be a Republican pickup unless there's a major disaster on the Democratic side. For whatever reason, Cramer has not given much notice, but there are a number of qualified, well-known Democrats who could run a strong campaign in the 5th District.  One of them will likely be the next Congressperson from North Alabama.  Bud Cramer was a founder of the Blue Dog Caucus and was also a Bush Dog, so this is a perfect opportunity to elect a better Democrat for North Alabama. 

Cramer's press release in its entirety is below.

PRESS RELEASE            2184 Rayburn House Office Building       
Contact:     Christopher Lee, Washington, D.C. 20515, (202) 225-4801

For Immediate Release                                          March 13, 2008

Congressman Bud Cramer announced this evening that he will not seek re-election to Congress from Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District and issued the following statement:
 
“After much thought and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress in November. This was a difficult decision, but after 28 years of public service it is time for me to step aside, spend more time with my family and begin another chapter in my life. Serving nine terms in Congress has been an exciting and rewarding experience and I am proud to have played a part in the growth and development of the entire north Alabama region. I believe that this is a good time for me to step aside and transition to new leadership. The BRAC move is well underway, new industry and jobs are locating in the Shoals, the Hudson Alpha Institute has a state of the art home and we have invested in new roads and infrastructure across this district that will continue to attract new jobs, development and growth for many years to come.”  
 
“I have been truly blessed to be able to serve this district in Washington. While I am closing my career as a member of Congress I will continue to be active in the life, growth and development of the community that I, my parents and my grandchildren will always call home.”  
 
 Congressman Cramer was elected to Congress in 1990 after serving ten years as Madison County’s District Attorney. He was re-elected to Congress eight times and is known around the world for his work on behalf of children and as the founder of the National Children’s Advocacy Center. In north Alabama he is best known for his support of our defense and aerospace industries, his efforts to secure the North Alabama Weather Forecasting Office, and to bring new jobs and economic development to our region. During his service in Congress he played a critical role in several major economic development projects such as US Gypsum, Toyota, National Rail Car, North American Lighting, Steelcase, the Boeing rocket plant in Decatur and the establishment of the Hudson Alpha Institute.