United States Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis., announced Wednesday he will not be seeking re-election in November, which could indicate the potential fragility of Democratic hopes for a continued majority in Congress come fall.
“…There is a time to stay and a time to go. And this is my time to go. I hate to do it. There is so much that needs to be done. But, frankly, I am bone tired,” Obey said at a press conference announcing his decision Wednesday.
Obey, 71, has been a long-standing figure in politics both in Wisconsin and in Washington, having served 42 years in Congress. He was influential in the development of the 2009 Economic Recovery Act as well as the recent health care reform.
“Dave Obey is a true giant of the House of Representatives, where his wealth of knowledge and his unflinching dedication to middle class Americans will be sorely missed,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.
With Obey’s retirement, there are now 17 incumbent Democrats and 20 incumbent Republicans in the House who are retiring and will not be seeking re-election in the fall. There are also four additional vacancies to be filled — three former Democratic seats and one Republican.
Historically, the party that wins the presidential election tends to lose seats in Congress at the midterm election. Obey’s retirement could represent an opportunity for Republicans in Wisconsin who are hoping to turn the tides in their favor.
“Dave Obey recognized that the political tides are against him because he and other Wisconsin Democrats haven’t been listening to voters and have repeatedly sided with Nancy Pelosi and liberal Washington leaders,” Reince Priebus, Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman, said in a statement. “The simple fact of the matter is that Wisconsin Democrats are in trouble, and Dave Obey simply beat voters to the punch.”
However, many Democrats believe Obey’s decision will not have a large impact on Democratic hopes in November.
“It’s baloney that he’s leaving because of any polls,” Graeme Zielinski, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said. “Historically there’s always headwind against the party in power for presidential midterm elections, but that’s nothing new.”
The question of whether Democrats can maintain their majority is also up for debate in the other chamber of Congress. Democratic incumbents in the Senate could face serious challenges in Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada and Pennsylvania, as well as other states.
This could pose a threat to their current 60-vote majority that is enough to override Republican filibusters.
Zielinski believes Republicans already hit their high water mark earlier in the year. Midterm elections can be tough, but he believes the Democrats will do just fine.
While who will be making decisions in Congress this same time next year is still up in the air, officials say the legacy of Obey will without a doubt remain strong in the U.S.
“Congressman Obey’s persistent vision of a comprehensive and consistent federal investment in students and researchers has been crucial to improving the lives of people across Wisconsin and around the world,” University of Wisconsin Chancellor Biddy Martin said in a statement released late Wednesday. “All of us who love the university and believe in the Wisconsin Idea owe Dave Obey our deep gratitude and thanks for his tireless, tremendous efforts over four decades in Congress. His leadership will be sorely missed.”
