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Sen. Lautenberg says he will not seek re-electionHe complains about the high cost of campaigns
February 17, 1999 WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, February 17) -- New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg, citing the burden of political fund-raising, announced Wednesday he will not seek a fourth term in 2000. "The compelling factor, I've got to tell you, in my decision was the searing reality that I would have to spend half of every day between now and the next election fund-raising," said Lautenberg, a Democrat.
To run an effective campaign, Lautenberg said he would have had to ask thousands of people for help and raise an average of $25,000 to $30,000 every business day. That would have distracted him from his legislative work in Washington, he said. "Our system of campaign finance has completely collapsed and it needs reform," Lautenberg said. Lautenberg nevertheless called his retirement a tough decision and said he was proud of his legislative accomplishments. He cited his work to stop gun violence, establish the 21-year-old drinking age, improve environmental protection and ban ocean dumping. "I love this job," he said. Word leaked out early Wednesday about Lautenberg's decision. He joked about getting complimentary telephone calls from President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. "I guess that's the way it is when you're walking out," Lautenberg said to laughter. Lautenberg, who turned 75 on January 23, was first elected to the Senate in 1982, spending $5 million of his own money in the race. The former high-tech executive served on the New York-New Jersey Port Authority Commission before that. In the Senate, Lautenberg has a reputation for independence. He is the senior Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, and also serves on the Appropriations, Intelligence and Environment and Public Works committees. Lautenberg's retirement and the lure of competing for an open Senate seat could affect the political calculations of many New Jersey politicians. One recent Quinnipiac College poll gave Gov. Christie Todd Whitman a 50-41 percent edge over Lautenberg in a hypothetical 2000 race. Republicans hold a 55-45 edge in the Senate, and Democrats would like to retake the chamber or at least narrow the margin in 2000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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MORE STORIES:Wednesday, February 17, 1999
• Judge rejects Hubbell's motions to dismiss six charges • Clinton warns against across-the-board tax cut • Sen. Lautenberg says he will not seek re-election • Muddling through impeachment • Poll: Clinton scandal has not taught young Americans it's OK to lie • Labor leaders plan to pour $40 million into 2000 campaigns • With impeachment over, pressure on Hastert to produce • Private GOP poll shows broad tax cut not enough to get elected • Clinton, congressional leaders plan meeting next week • Perhaps conservatives should tune out, turn off and drop out, one says | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
