1994 v 2004: House Retirements

Jonathan Singer has a great post over at MyDD comparing retirements in the House of Representatives this election cycle with the cycle leading up to 1994. One of the striking differences often listed between the 1994 and 2006 cycles is the relative lack of open seats this year. Well, it turns out we're really not all that far behind in the House. (In the Senate, yes, but that's a different story.)

There are 9 Republicans seeking higher office this year. As of Thanksgiving, there were 5 additional retirements in the House:

• Randy "Duke" Cunningham, CA-50 (PVI R+5)
  
• Mike Bilirakis, FL-09 (PVI R+4)
  
• Henry Hyde, IL-06 (PVI R+3)
  
• Michael Oxley, OH-04 (PVI R+14)
• Jim Kolbe, AZ-08 (PVI ?)

Apparently, according to Jonathan Singer, this compares to 7 open seats this time in 1993. Less yes, but nothing to hang your hat on. Eventually, he says, there were 28 open seats - 20 retirements and 8 Democrats who unsuccessfully sought higher office. 9 more Democrats announced their retirements in January and February of 1994. 4 more announced in April. So we'll check back again at the end of April and see where we are.