Free Republic

U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad is expected to announce that he is retiring from Congress. His office released a statement today saying he plans to "make a major announcement ...concerning his future plans." Ramstad has represented the Third District, made up of the southern, western and northern suburbs of Minneapolis, since he was elected to his first of 9 terms in 1990. A spokesman for Ramstad, John Magnuson, declined to comment on the congressman's announcement, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Minnetonka. But an email press release on the announcement included a file entitled, "retire_advisory," that had Magnuson's name attached...

TALLAHASSEE -- In Washington, a woman will become the next speaker of the U.S. House. In Tallahassee, a woman will join the state Cabinet. But when the Florida Legislature starts a new two-year term Tuesday, women lawmakers won't see the same type of gains. Women will represent 39 districts in the House and Senate, less than a quarter of the 160 seats. That is the same number of districts women represented last year -- and roughly the same number they have held for the past decade. Lawmakers point to various reasons for the relative lack of women in the Legislature,...

McEwen and Schmidt are neck and neck. Schmidt tore up in Clermont County (around 3000), her home county. That is keeping her in this thing. McEwen won by a nice margin in Warren County (1500 or so), and Brown County (about 600). He and Schmidt are running neck and neck in Hamilton County (McEwen was winning by about 200). No results from Adams, Scioto, or Pike. Pat DeWine is in 4th. Schmidt has opened up a bit of a lead on WLWT, probably Clermont coming in.

Just wondering if there was any news so far this week. It seems as though things are very tight and getting nasty. DeWine seems to be attacking McEwen. Like I asked before, are the polls showing something? DeWine is attacking the check bouncing stuff. Brinkman's folks are attacking on the carpetbagging stuff and deservedly so. The Club for Growth is on the attack against Jean Schmidt for raising taxes during his stint in the Ohio House. I have said this before, but these Ohio state legislators crack me up. They ran promising not to raise taxes (remember all the Taxin...

CINCINNATI -- Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis says Pat DeWine should resign as county commissioner now that he's running for Congress. In a letter to DeWine, Leis criticized his fellow Republican for running for higher office just three months after winning a seat on the commission, News 5's Raegan Butler reported. DeWine is running in an upcoming special election for Rob Portman's seat. Portman has been nominated to be U.S. trade representative in President George W. Bush's cabinet. "I think your candidacy for Congressman of the 2nd Ohio Congressional District is an affront to the voters of Cincinnati and Hamilton...

CINCINNATI -- Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine and State Representative Tom Brinkman are the first to officially announce their candidacy for the 2nd congressional seat, News 5 reported. DeWine was elected Hamilton County Commissioner last November. He previously served on Cincinnati City Council. Brinkman is a state representative. Both are Republicans. Several others are expected to join the race to fill Rob Portman's seat, assuming the Senate confirms Portman's nomination as U.S. trade representative. Primaries could be held as early as May with a special election possible in August. Gov. Bob Taft will set the date once after Portman vacates...

Rep. Jim Leach (R) currently holds a commanding lead over his lone Democratic rival, according to a new survey released by the NationalRepublicanCongressionalCommittee. Leach leads pediatricianJulie Thomas 60 percent to 23 percent in the poll, which was conducted by the Tarrance Group on March 6-7. The sample size was 300 likely voters with a margin of error plus or minus 5.8 percent. After representing the 1st district since 1976, Leach was placed in a district withRep.JimNussle (R) after the nonpartisan redistricting process in the state. Leach announced he would move from his longtime home in Davenport to Iowa City and...