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PETERSON RETIREMENT RUMORS SNOWBALLING

By Luke Hellier | December 15, 2009

Congressman Collin Peterson, a blue dog Democrat, from Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District seems to be contemplating a possible retirement.

Peterson spent more than he took in last quarter: raised 110K, spent nearly 130K. That’s a burn rate of 120% – a lot of that money was given away to the DCCC and vulnerable Dems like Alan Grayson. Often when a member starts giving away money like this, it’s a signal that they aren’t committed to coming back next year.

As a powerful committee chairman, there’s no reason Peterson shouldn’t be raking in twice the 110 amount, unless he’s not that interested in returning.

Here’s the link to his FEC report as you can see he raised only $107,907.46 but spent $129,188.96 in Q3 2009.

Several local and national media outlets have weighed in.  Here is a quick sample:

The Hill:

Republicans have targeted more than a dozen Democrats for retirement. Those on the watch list include three other committee chairmen — Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), John Spratt (D-S.C.) and Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) — as well as Reps. Marion Berry (D-Ark.), Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) and Rick Boucher (D-Va.).

Washington Post:

Most Democratic insiders who closely monitor the House playing field put the tipping point at which control of the House is truly in play at 15 open seats in competitive districts. Including Gordon, that number stands at seven. The watch list: Reps. John Spratt (S.C.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Marion Berry (Ark.), Vic Snyder (Ark.) and even younger members like Chet Edwards (Texas).

CQ/Rollcall:

Ten-term Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is one of more than a dozen Democrats Republicans are hoping to send to retirement in 2010. The GOP started licking their chops when Peterson refused to confirm with absolute certainty to local Minnesota press that he would run for re-election next year.

MinnPost:

If Peterson, who is 65 and in his 10th term, wanted to leave Congress for a high-paying Washington job, he would probably get the best deal when the Dems are in power, as they are now, Erickson also noted. And Peterson has not said that he plans to seek another term.

Forum Communications:

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, who represents most of western Minnesota, has been mentioned by many national political blogs and news sources recently because he is one of more than a dozen Democrats Republicans are targeting next year.

CQ Politics jumped into the mix when Peterson refused to say definitely if he will run for re-election. That follows his comment that he always waits until February to make a final decision. “I’m not doing anything different” he said.

Bemidji Pioneer:

Black lays out the NRCC strategy as noting that Peter-son has not been aggressively fundraising, even though as Ag Committee chairman, he could demand large sums. In the last quarter he actually spent more than he raised, and gave some to other Dems, a usual sign of a member get-ting ready to retire. Erickson also theorizes that Peterson, at age 65, is in the best pos-ition to grab a high-power D.C. job with the Dems in power. He’s also vulnerable, Erickson says, for a gaffe he made saying he doesn’t like holding town hall meetings because “conspiracy nuts” show up.

Hotline OnCall:

The list includes 14 members whose districts voted for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in ‘08. McCain won districts held by Reps. Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Bart Gordon (D-TN) with more than 60% of the vote, and districts held by Reps. Rick Boucher (D-VA), Alan Mollohan (D-WV), Marion Berry (D-AR), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Mike Ross (D-AR) with more than 55%.

McCain narrowly won seats held by Reps. John Spratt (D-SC), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Vic Snyder (D-AR), Baron Hill (D-IN), Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Tim Holden (D-PA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN).

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