Report: Mikulski to retire?
I’ve just heard from an impeccable source that Barbara Mikulski, the Democratic Senator who is up for reelection this November, will choose to retire. Mrs. Mikulski is expected to make her formal announcement in the next few days.
Mrs. Mikulski seriously fractured her right ankle last fall just prior to Edward M. Kennedy’s death. Due to the severity of the fracture, she had to have open reduction surgery, that included the insertion of pins, as well as the use of special surgical boots, during recovery. She had tried to arrive in time for Mr. Kennedy’s funeral but was turned away.
Her recovery has been exceptionally slow and she is evidently still in a great deal of pain. Reportedly, she has told her physician that she does not desire to seek reelection. Additionally, friends and family have been saying in the near future she will announce her retirement. Because of the very slow recovery, she has been forced to use a wheelchair, a walker or a cane in order to get around.
If Mikulski does retire, then who would run for her job on both sides? Does Ehrlich jump in the Senate race and leave the race for Governor on the GOP side wide open again?
UPDATE: We are also hearing that Senator Barbara Mikulski’s campaign has done polling in the past week or two.
UPDATE 2
Chris Cilizza on Twitter
Rumors that Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) is retiring are NOT TRUE, according to informed D source.
Update 3
Mike Memoli tweets that he has 2 sources saying it’s not true.
Other blogging:
Hot Air
Red Maryland
Baltimore Republican Examiner
NRO
1
This should answer your question for GOP Senate side.
Good man!
http://www.wargotzforussenate.com
Comment by Keith — February 15, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
2
Think what Stan is saying is that the race would be opened up completely if Mikulski were to retire. It would be a whole new ballgame. Candidates taking on entrenched incumbents who had little chance of winning usually don’t have much of a chance when that incumbent retires and they get faced with an expensive primary.
Comment by Jeff Quinton — February 15, 2010 @ 3:55 pm
3
Who says Chris Cilizza’s “informed D source” trumps the Vail Spot’s “impeccable source”? :)
Comment by Ron — February 15, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
4
You made my day- I wish she’s retire and move aside. I have never agreed with one position that she holds-bye bye Barbs.
Comment by Ishkabibbles wife — February 15, 2010 @ 4:56 pm
5
There have been persistent rumors about BM’s health even before the broken ankle. Until she formally announces that she is retiring, I consider them all to be wishful thinking..
Comment by Blogger1947 — February 15, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
6
Let’s hope it is true so that we can get some conservative, independently-minded smarts in there with constitutional based, Reagan-like Dr, Eric Wargotz!
Comment by mattie — February 15, 2010 @ 6:23 pm
7
My source is a retired journalist with very deep roots in politics…who lives here. I live in Pikesville. So I too have a vested interest in Babs political future. At 74, and badly injured and recovering slowly, Ms. Mikulski might very well choose to retire…so my source tells me.
Comment by rich Vail — February 15, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
8
I’ve added ISC to my blog roll. I’d send you an email about it but I can’t find a “contact me” anywhere. Must be dense.
Comment by rich Vail — February 15, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
9
[...] the cusp of Indiana’s filing deadline, was stepping aside, a brief boomlet of rumors (here is one source for it) began to spread that Senator Barbara Mikulski would also retire. This one, however, was [...]
Pingback by Polling and Political Wrap-Up, 2/15/10 | TheWorldPolitics — February 16, 2010 @ 9:04 am