Ed Case wins US House race to succeed Patsy Mink

AP ^ | 12-1-2002 | AP

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ed Case is the winner of yesterday's special election to serve the remaining five weeks of the term of the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink.

More details to come.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Not a gigantic surprise here, will probably also win the next special election in January for the full term.

[07055]

Don't tell me that they held an election for a five week term---when Congress is out of session?

Gee, how much money did they waste on that?

[07055]

State elections officials said the election cost somewhere between $1.3 million and $1.7 million.

[Cicero]

If he is re-elected, it gives him seniority. Plus it makes him feel important.

[fieldmarshaldj]

It's an obscenity. Mr. Case won't even be sworn-in for the term (though I believe he'll probably win the January contest). This election was utterly wasteful and unneeded.

[fieldmarshaldj]

You'll note that OH Gov. Taft refused to call for new elections for the Tony Hall and Jim Traficant vacancies. Certain groups sued him over it, but he held firm and the court backed him up over it. He saved the taxpayers quite a dime on those contests that would last only a few months for their victors.

[07055]

I know the House is different from the Senate, but they let Widow Carnahan serve for *two years* when no one ever voted for her. Yet they waste a million dollars to elect someone who may never serve a day.

If this guy loses the election in January, does he still qualify for a lifetime pension?

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I know the House is different from the Senate, but they let Widow Carnahan serve for *two years* when no one ever voted for her. Yet they waste a million dollars to elect someone who may never serve a day."

Well, that is the difference between the two bodies, you can appoint a Senator in most instances, but not a House member. Carnahan was an unusual situation, though no matter what happened in that instance, it's most likely that a Dem would've been appointed there (barring a special election being called).

"If this guy loses the election in January, does he still qualify for a lifetime pension?"

Heh, no I don't think so.

[demkicker]

"If this guy loses the election in January, does he still qualify for a lifetime pension?"

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW!

[Alas Babylon!]

Well, actually, in the Carnahan case, there already WAS a senator, namely, John Ashcroft, and Mr. Carnahan was running against him when he was killed. The dead Mr. Carnahan won the election by a slim margin (and help from St Louis late night polling) and the democrat governor appointed Widow Carnahan to take her dead husband's place.

[dread78645]

does he still qualify for a lifetime pension?

"In order to retire with immediate, full pension under FERS, Members of Congress must be age 62 with 5 years of service; age 50 with 20 years of service; or any age with 25 years of service. Under CSRS, they must be age 60 with at least 10 years of Member service. For Members of Congress, the maximum initial CSRS benefit is 80% of the higher of high-3 salary or final annual salary. To qualify for 80% a Member must complete 32 years or more of service. "

link

[winner3000]

I saw the returns. It seems that Republicans are an endangered specie in that district! The Republican got less than 2,000 votes!

[Coop]

You'll note that OH Gov. Taft refused to call for new elections for the Tony Hall and Jim Traficant vacancies. Certain groups sued him over it, but he held firm and the court backed him up over it. He saved the taxpayers quite a dime on those contests that would last only a few months for their victors.

The governor of Hawaii tried to get this special election squashed, as a cost-saving measure, but I believe he was overruled by the courts.

[CPT Clay]

Hey is Inouye going to retire in 04?

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Hey is Inouye going to retire in 04?"

I believe he wants to serve until he's 6-feet under. The man knows no other career, he's been representing Hawaii since statehood. It's too bad his former Senate colleague, Republican Hiram Fong, retired way back in 1976 at the age of 70, he's still quite active and alert at almost 97. He was the last decent Senator the state has had.

[CPT Clay]

How old is Inouye? Maybe Phil Grahmn should send him a letter an Warburg stationary about how good life can be outside of public life!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Inouye and Akaka were born only days apart. They turn 79 fairly soon.