Post by Moses on Nov 30, 2005 8:28:03 GMT -5
In a surprise announcement, Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) revealed late last week that he will not seek reelection in 2006, opening an important seat in next year’s congressional elections. Kolbe chairs the powerful House Appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations and export financing. Representing an Arizona district that borders Mexico, he has been an important voice for moderation in the increasingly hostile debate on immigration reform and a proponent of an equitable guest-worker program. The congressman cited the increased partisanship of Washington as one reason for his leave. “The mood on Capitol Hill is not a pleasant one,” he said in a conference call. “There’s a divisiveness that I think we haven’t seen in a long time and I worry about that. I like to think that I’ve been a moderating influence on that.”