While “John Shadegg” is certainly a household name in our house - as it is in the United States House of Representatives - others might not know him. Conservatives should. He’s one of the best, most principled Republicans in Congress today. But he might not be next year, as Rep. Shadegg announced his decision to retire on Monday.
This would be a crushing loss to the limited-government movement. But there’s a ray of hope. From Roll Call this morning:
“Motivated by a letter signed by more than 130 of his House GOP colleagues urging him to forgo retirement and run for re-election, Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) could be reconsidering his decision to call it quits upon the conclusion of his current term, a well-placed Republican source said late Thursday.
“The letter, spearheaded by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), comes in response to Shadegg’s surprise decision, announced Monday, not to seek an eighth House term. Pence, a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee - a caucus of conservative House Republicans - followed Shadegg in that post.
“The letter was circulating on Capitol Hill on Thursday, although Shadegg had yet to officially receive it, according to the source, who nevertheless said that the ‘unprecedented’ nature of so many Members appealing for Shadegg to reconsider was giving him pause. ‘Never before have more than 130 members signed a letter asking a fellow Member to stay,’ the source said. ‘I’m sure [Shadegg] takes that seriously.’”
You can add your name to that letter by signing it online HERE
Conservatives can NOT afford to lose one of the true, principled Republican leaders we have left in the House. So after signing the letter, it sure wouldn’t hurt if you made a call to Rep. Shadegg’s office with this short and simple message: “I just want to add my name to the list of people who don’t want Congressman Shadegg to retire.”
Washington Office: (202) 225-3361
Phoenix Office: (602) 263-5300
Posted on February 15th, 2008 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: National
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