“Breaking: House Democrat Jim Matheson retires, clearing the way for Mia Love,” Allahpundit writes, who notes that the Utah Congressional seat shifts from “Leans Democratic” to “Likely Republican” in polling:
Big news for two reasons. One: Republican Frank Wolf, who represents increasingly blue northern Virginia, announced earlier today that he was retiring after 34 years. That’s a golden opportunity for Democrats to turn the House slightly bluer — or was, before Matheson’s retirement canceled it out. Two: If Love wins the seat, she’d be the first black woman elected to Congress as a Republican. The GOP naturally wants to make that happen to help rebrand itself as a more racially diverse party, which is one reason why she got a speaking slot at the convention last year. Grassroots righties I know like her a lot too, although she got some static last month when she seemed to inch away from the “tea party” label and criticized Mike Lee’s “defund” tactics (as did a lot of other Utahns). When the Blaze noticed, she issued a statement trying to smooth things over. Hmmm.
Allahpundit writes that she could be primaried by one of Romney’s sons or one of the Huntsmans, and Twitchy also rounds up numerous Twitter users noting that a likely-R seat will bring plenty of primary competition. However, as Allah notes, “The national party will do whatever it can to clear the field for her. Stay tuned.”
Obligatory Allahpundit-style exit quote:
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