Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah) has announced that he will not run for reelection. This clear the way for Power Line favorite Mia Love to win the seat. She came within a few hundred votes of winning it in 2012.
Larry Sabato has already changed his analysis of the seat from “leans Democrat” to “likely Republican.” In my view, however, Love would have been the slight favorite to defeat Matheson. Perhaps Matheson saw it that way too.
I’ve learned not to get very excited about rising politicians, no matter how promising. But I can’t help but be a little bit excited about the prospect of Mia Love in Congress.
JOHN adds: Regular readers have probably figured out that I am a little more excitable than Paul. I confess to being highly excited about the prospect of Mia Love going to Washington. I also think Matheson’s withdrawal from the race is a sign of how deep a hole the Democrats are in. Matheson is no slouch; he is a seven-term Congressman who has managed to survive in a Republican state, until now. One can only imagine what his internal polling looked like. I suspect that Matheson won’t be the last Democrat who decides to retire rather than face the voters next November.
UPDATE by JOHN: Glenn Reynolds comments: “YOU DON’T NEED A WEATHERMAN TO SEE WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS.” Heh. It’s our turn.
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