Rep. John Shimkus just reaffirmed his intention to retire at the end of his current term. Last week, he said he would reconsider after Rep. Greg Walden announced his own retirement, which could have put Shimkus in place to take the top GOP spot on Energy and Commerce Committee.
Of the 18 seats that could become 17 after 2022, the Freshman seat holder “taking over” for Shimkus will probably be the musical chair participant without the chair before the music begins.
If you think that representing a District of 15,000 square miles and portions of 33 Counties isn’t work, poke some holes in the lid of your jar so you can breathe.
He was everywhere in the District perpetually. The largest community in this enormous District . . .Danville at 33,000 people. Let that wash over you in terms of effort me energy over a sustained period of time.
If you are not intimately familiar with this type of schedule, you truly have no idea.
Two things- first, my in-laws are staunch Madison County Democrats. But they voted for Shimkus because he was focused on local issues and trying to fix problems. Second, 20 years ago Shimkus, a West Point grad, represented the Academy at a Congressman Jerry Costello Academy Day for high school students. Shimkus stayed for more than 45 minutes after it was over, sitting in the bleachers answering my 16 year old daughter’s questions about West Point, the education, the training, and the duty. He was content to sit and talk in an empty gymnasium until she had gone through her extensive list of questions. That is service.
- 32nd warder - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 11:57 am:
God told him to.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 11:58 am:
This is gonna be fun…
- N'ville - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:03 pm:
So Mr. “I’m term limiting myself and will only serve until 2008″ must have finally found a calendar.
- Unpopular - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:14 pm:
Let’s hope someone is elected to that seat who actually will do more then collect autographs and softball jerseys to hang on the wall in his office.
- Annonin - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:28 pm:
So Shimmy checked and learned chairing a committee actually involved worked. Hence his bailout
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:31 pm:
Of the 18 seats that could become 17 after 2022, the Freshman seat holder “taking over” for Shimkus will probably be the musical chair participant without the chair before the music begins.
- Get Real - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:36 pm:
If you think that representing a District of 15,000 square miles and portions of 33 Counties isn’t work, poke some holes in the lid of your jar so you can breathe.
He was everywhere in the District perpetually. The largest community in this enormous District . . .Danville at 33,000 people. Let that wash over you in terms of effort me energy over a sustained period of time.
If you are not intimately familiar with this type of schedule, you truly have no idea.
- Lynn S. - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 12:43 pm:
Am I the only person who suspects this whole “reconsideration” was linked to him finding a job that pays him what he feels he “deserves”?
- Motambe - Monday, Nov 4, 19 @ 3:44 pm:
Two things- first, my in-laws are staunch Madison County Democrats. But they voted for Shimkus because he was focused on local issues and trying to fix problems. Second, 20 years ago Shimkus, a West Point grad, represented the Academy at a Congressman Jerry Costello Academy Day for high school students. Shimkus stayed for more than 45 minutes after it was over, sitting in the bleachers answering my 16 year old daughter’s questions about West Point, the education, the training, and the duty. He was content to sit and talk in an empty gymnasium until she had gone through her extensive list of questions. That is service.
- Publius - Tuesday, Nov 5, 19 @ 9:55 am:
and there was much rejoicing, yaaaaay
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NmPhaG1ud38