Free Republic

A Florida Republican congressman who clashed with former House Speaker John Boehner said Monday that he will not run for re-election next year. Rep. Rich Nugent, a Republican whose 11th district covers Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and part of Marion counties, says the job has forced him to spend too much time away from his family. Nugent had been a member of the House Rules Committee. But in January, he was among 25 rebellious conservative Republicans who voted against re-electing Boehner, R-Ohio, as speaker. Soon after that vote, Nugent was removed from the Rules panel a committee over which the speaker...

McNerney takes his seat in 111th Congress; Harmer at orientation for new members -- Both 11th District Congressional candidates in the Nov. 2 General Election are now in Washington, D.C. Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) returned to his congressional seat for the opening session yesterday of one week of deliberation before the Thanksgiving recess. He plans to return again after Thanksgiving for the final session of the 111th Congress. Also in Washington is McNerney's Republican challenger in the still-undecided 11th District race, David Harmer. Harmer attended the orientation for new members of Congress. "Since we don't yet know whether I'll become...