Rodney's Retiring

This man will do literally anything to avoid meeting with his constituents even if that means retiring.


From the link Statement of Representative Rodney P. Frelinghuysen:

“Today as I announce my retirement at the end of this session of Congress, I want to use the opportunity to strongly encourage the many young people I meet to consider public service.  Public service is an incredible way to turn your convictions into something that serves the greater good and to do it alongside people from every walk of life and background.  That has certainly been my experience here in this House, and during my Army service in Vietnam.  I thank my friends and colleagues with whom I have served.  My years in public service have allowed me to represent my home county of Morris for over 40 years, and also Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties, and earlier on, Somerset!  That would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Virginia, our two girls and my late father and mentor, Peter.  The unsung heroes of my time in Congress are my staff, both in Morristown and Washington, who tend every day to the needs of 730,000 constituents!


He sees the handwriting on the wall. (Not Trump's wall).


Here is information on one of the Democratic Primary candidates:

https://www.mikiesherrill.com/

Mikie has a Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in Global History from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Law Degree from Georgetown University.

Mikie and her husband Jason, a fellow Naval Academy graduate, live in Montclair, New Jersey, where they are raising their four children ages 11, 10, 7 and 5. Mikie coaches her daughter’s lacrosse team and manages her son’s soccer team.



I am impressed.



Klinker said:

This man will do literally anything to avoid meeting with his constituents even if that means retiring.

any truth to the rumor that he's entering the witness protection program?


I'm assuming that this makes it easier for Mikie Sherrill?  RF had his long-time supporters which might have made his re-election possible.  Thoughts?



jeffl said:

I'm assuming that this makes it easier for Mikie Sherrill?  RF had his long-time supporters which might have made his re-election possible.  Thoughts?

Her hill to the Hill just got significantly lower. The Republicans will have to find a decent candidate to run in Frelinghuysen's place. That district was gerrymandered to peel off some Democratic strongholds and tack them on to his district but I think things have swing enough that a GOP newcomer won't have the same chance Frelinghuysen did.


So far the only announced GOP candidate in the 11th is Martin Hewitt, who was going to primary Frelinghuysen from the left as a "moderate Republican", conservative on fiscal issues and moderate on social issues (actually, pretty darned liberal on those--pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-ACA and even a right to affordable health care, and freedom from want for all citizens).

With RF retiring having been an open possibility for some time, I am certain some other GOP players are going to quickly emerge to try to grab the nomination.  I am interested to see if the GOP at the state and national levels will allow a "moderate" to run against them so as to try to save the seat, or insist on a candidate who lines up with the national party.  For my money, I hope Michael Carroll runs.  Sherrill will eat his lunch and stick him with the bill.

Although the smart money so far is on Christine Meyers, a GOP Freeloader, erm, Freeholder who operates a small business and was recently appointed by Trump to the SBA as a regional advocate.  Smart move to run a woman against a woman, and a small business owner at that.


I imagine Republican primary voters will remain true to form and nominate the craziest wingnut they can find.


Rodney was a sleaze in his college days, and there is little to show that he has changed one iota. A chance for the reasonable folks in Morris to find someone who will actually represent them, instead of the family coterie.



mfpark said:


Although the smart money so far is on Christine Meyers, a GOP Freeloader, erm, Freeholder who operates a small business and was recently appointed by Trump to the SBA as a regional advocate.  Smart move to run a woman against a woman, and a small business owner at that.

Not smart to run a professional politician against an "outsider" in the current environment.


even in NJ, the GOP primary voters tend to reject any "moderate" candidates.  Steve Lonegan got the GOP nomination for Senate for pete's sake.  And he's a nut.


While I know it is totally legal, I find candidates running outside of the district in which they reside to be less than ideal.  It's possible that this election could feature two candidates, neither one of which resides in the district that they seek to represent.


Who are you referring to that lives outside of the 11th district?  I know that Mikie Sherrill lives in Montclair which is partially in the 11th district.

DannyArcher said:

While I know it is totally legal, I find candidates running outside of the district in which they reside to be less than ideal.  It's possible that this election could feature two candidates, neither one of which resides in the district that they seek to represent.



Trump won the 11th district by 49% to 48%, so it's not a slam dunk for the Republicans.

LOST said:



mfpark said:


Although the smart money so far is on Christine Meyers, a GOP Freeloader, erm, Freeholder who operates a small business and was recently appointed by Trump to the SBA as a regional advocate.  Smart move to run a woman against a woman, and a small business owner at that.

Not smart to run a professional politician against an "outsider" in the current environment.



Christine Meyers does not appear to be a typical political insider.  Her resume stands up pretty well.  The GOP candidate may well get creamed regardless 



And I wonder what RF will do with the money he raised so far?  



yahooyahoo said:

Trump won the 11th district by 49% to 48%, so it's not a slam dunk for the Republicans.

Rodney won by 20% last run.  Many solid GOP voters in the district chose not to vote for Donald in the presidential election.



DannyArcher said:

Neither Sherill nor the declared GOP candidate live in the district.

https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2017/05/12/candidate-challenging-frelinghuysen-lives-out-district/319919001/

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/bloomfield/sections/elections/articles/republican-congressional-candidate-for-njs-11th

The district cuts through Montclair, and she lives within a few blocks of the line.  Interesting.  Also interesting that there is no law requiring someone to live in the district in order to run for Congress.  


From the Daily Record article, something I was thinking:

“Given how seemingly arbitrary some of the congressional district lines are, particularly in North Jersey, it makes sense that someone with an affinity for a district may not live in that district,” Harrison said.


East Brunswick, which isn't even contiguous with the 11th district.  Though the maps are so ridiculously tortured so as to keep the incumbents from each party in place.


I find it bizarre that there is not a regulation/law concerning living in the represented district.  Seems like a ripe for misfeasance or malfeasance to occur.


You have to live in the district to represent it.  You don't have to live there to run in the election to represent it.


Thanks so much for the clarification, nohero.  I was MIGHTILY confused!  



nohero said:

You have to live in the district to represent it.  You don't have to live there to run in the election to represent it.

Says whom?  Constitution says that one must be a citizen for seven years, at least 25 years old, and a resident of the state when elected.  Nothing more and any further limitations would be unconstitutional. 



Steve said:
 
nohero said:

You have to live in the district to represent it.  You don't have to live there to run in the election to represent it.
Says whom?  Constitution says that one must be a citizen for seven years, at least 25 years old, and a resident of the state when elected.  Nothing more and any further limitations would be unconstitutional. 

Whatever.  Either way, Ms. Sherrill is eligible even though she lives down the street from the district line right now.


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