The Right Side Politics House Retirement Watch

Interest in the recent spat of Democrat retirements from the House of Representatives has highlighted the need for a House Retirement Watch. So far, 23 members of the House -- 11 Democrats and 12 Republicans, have announced plans to leave the House by the January 3, 2011 end of the 111th Congress:

DEMOCRATS 

1. Neil Abercrombie (HI) Resigning to run for governor of Hawaii.
2. Brian Baird (WA) Retiring.
3. Artur Davis (AL) Running for governor of Alabama.
4. Bart Gordon (TN) Retiring.
5. Paul Hodes (NH) Running for U.S. Senate.
6. Kendrick Meek (FL) Running for U.S. Senate.
7. Charlie Melancon (LA) Running for U.S. Senate.
8. Dennis Moore (KS) Retiring.
9. Joe Sestak (PA) Running for U.S. Senate.
10. John Tanner (TN) Retiring.
11. Robert Wexler (FL) Resigning effective in January of 2010. There will be a special election to replace Wexler on April 13, 2010.

REPUBLICANS

1. Gresham Barrett (SC) Running for governor of South Carolina.
2. Roy Blunt (MO) Running for U.S. Senate.
3. Mike Castle (DE) Running for U.S. Senate.
4. Nathan Deal (GA) Running for governor of Georgia. 
5. Mary Fallin (OK) Running for governor of Oklahoma.
6. Jim Gerlach (PA) Running for governor of Pennsylvania.
7. Pete Hoekstra (MI) Running for governor of Michigan.
8. Mark Kirk (IL) Running for U.S. Senate.
9. Jerry Moran (KS) Running for U.S. Senate.
10. Adam Putnam (FL) Running for agriculture commissioner of Florida.
11. Todd Tiahrt (KS) Running for U.S. Senate.
12. Zach Wamp (TN) Running for governor of Tennessee.

We will do our best to keep the House Retirement Watch updated as we learn about additional House departures.