Snyder not seeking reelection in Arkansas’ 2nd District
by January 15, 2010 5:58 pm 78 views
U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, has said he will not seek reelection for Arkansas’ 2nd District, leaving the post vulnerable for a Republican to capture what has historically been safe seat for Congressional Democrats.
Snyder, 62, cited family concerns as being a big part of the decision. He and wife Betsy Singleton welcome triplets to the family Dec. 9.
But Snyder also has political troubles stemming primarily from voter dissatisfaction with Congress and the economy. A poll released Friday (Jan. 15) by a liberal blog Firedoglake shows Snyder trailing Republican Tim Griffin by 17 points — 56% of likely voters preferring Griffin and 39% supporting Snyder.
Also, a Nov. 15 Public Policy Polling release showed that 54% of voters in the 2nd District disapprove of the job Congressional Democrats are doing, 52% disapprove of Barack Obama’s job performance, and 50% express the feeling that Congressional Democrats are too liberal.
“Additionally 55% of voters say they’re opposed to the health care bill the House passed last week with Snyder’s support, including 91% of Republicans and 67% of independents. Snyder seems to be bearing the brunt of a lot of animosity toward national Democrats in his district,” noted the Public Policy Polling release.
Following is the statement Snyder released Friday.
“2010 will be a robust election year during which great forces collide to set the direction for our country for another two years. Over the last several weeks Betsy and I have had discussions with family and friends including other members of Congress (Rep. David Price, Rep. Susan Davis, and our own Sen. Mark Pryor) regarding the appropriate balance between family and Congressional service when a family has very young children. I have concluded that these election-year forces are no match for the persuasive and powerful attraction of our three one-year old boys under the leadership of their three-year old brother, and I have decided not to run for re-election. It is the greatest professional honor of my life to represent Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I am so grateful to the people of Arkansas to have had this wonderful opportunity. That honor will now pass to someone else at the conclusion of this term.”
“This decision has not been an easy one. Two weeks ago my campaign manager came on board, but that first morning I advised him to do nothing to begin the campaign because of my doubts regarding running. The onset of the new year, the time I always begin organizing my campaigns, did nothing to remove these doubts.”
“I have put very little thought into what the work side of my life will look like at the end of this term, although it is clear from observing how much our four little boys eat that I will be working for a long, long time.”