Hastert era over, GOP resumes bloodletting

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) declared his leadership of the House GOP over yesterday, telling colleagues that he would not run for a minority post in the next Congress.

Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) declared his leadership of the House GOP over yesterday, telling colleagues that he would not run for a minority post in the next Congress.

His decision to step aside following Tuesday’s heavy election defeat sparked a rush of ambitious lawmakers to declare their candidacies for the leadership when Republicans assume the minority next year.

Hastert, the longest-serving Republican Speaker in House history, whose final weeks were marred by a sense of electoral doom and by a sex scandal involving a former member, told colleagues during a conference call yesterday afternoon that he would not pursue a leadership post in the next Congress.

“The Republican leader in the 110th Congress will have the responsibility to emphasize conservative values and reform principles,” Hastert said in a statement sent out by his office. “I will not seek this role, but will support our leader to the best of my ability as I return to the full-time task of representing the people of the 14th District of Illinois.”

The outgoing Speaker did not say anything about retirement from Congress, but at least two Republicans in Illinois expect him to make an announcement early next year.

In announcements and conference calls, Republicans throughout the House used Tuesday’s drubbing as the launch pad for bids to replace their leaders.

During a conference call late yesterday, Hastert and Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) recommended that members hold their organizing conference next Wednesday and Thursday because a prolonged campaign will irritate rank-and-file Republicans and prevent the victors from hammering Democrats during the transfer of power. The leadership elections were eventually scheduled for Friday.

Some members on the call told colleagues not to blame the current leaders for Tuesday’s defeat, despite overriding angst within the conference, according to a member and aide on the call.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), outgoing chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, declared his bid for minority leader, as expected, setting up a showdown with Boehner and any other members who might enter the fray.

Boehner will stand for reelection, despite rumors that he would retire, a source close to the leader said. He convened a conference call with close supporters yesterday, and sent members a “Dear Colleague” letter last night to declare his candidacy.

Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton (R-Texas), who is also expected to run for leader, circulated a letter to GOP colleagues highlighting his legislative and organizational priorities for Republicans in the next Congress, but he fell short of announcing his bid.

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) announced that he would challenge Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) for minority whip, his second campaign for leadership this year. He lost a three-way battle with Boehner and Blunt for majority leader in February.

Both Shadegg and Pence cast themselves as outsiders, hoping to capitalize on widespread discontent within the conference about a perceived fiscal and ethical drift by extant leaders.

“I am running for Republican leader, because I believe that we did not just lose our Majority – we lost our way,” Pence said in a statement.

Blunt, the majority whip, announced his own campaign late yesterday. He has already secured a powerful ally in Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), a rising star rumored as a leadership candidate himself, who began making calls on behalf of the Missouri Republican yesterday. That alliance should ensure Cantor does not enter the race to replace Blunt, his political mentor.

Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), who is chairwoman of the Republican Conference and apparently eked out a victory over her Democratic challenger, sent Republicans a “dear colleague” letter yesterday announcing she would not run for the post she has held for four years.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the party and the Conference that I keep my focus on my district for the next two years and ensure this seat remains safely in Republican hands,” wrote Pryce, whose election victory over Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy was not yet official as of press time.

Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, entered the race to replace Pryce on Wednesday. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), the vice chairman, is expected to join the contest in the coming days.

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) announced her candidacy for the position of conference vice chairman, and Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) launched a bid to replace Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) as conference secretary. Doolittle’s declaration that he intends to stay on surprised some colleagues and staff.

These leadership hopefuls began calling members, including both new members and members who lost, to ask for support. Blackburn, for example, has been calling the members who lost their seats to thank them for the hard work and ask what leaders could have done better to help them communicate with voters.

In absorbing Tuesday’s loss, members commiserated and plotted the future of the party in conference calls.

Barton and Pence organized calls among key supporters, while the conservative RSC and centrist Tuesday Group and Republican Main Street Partnership also held calls to discuss the party’s ideological thrust following their loss of House control.

Conservatives have seized on the results, which include significant losses by centrist Republicans, as a reason to reduce spending and push other conservative priorities. Centrists argued that a rightward shift would further alienate centrist voters.

Many of these themes will dominate the leadership contests, and the results should set the tone for Republicans in the minority.

Susan Crabtree contributed to this report.