Dem resigns to be UMass chancellor (Rep. Marty Meehan, D-MA)

[babylonsister]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-09-meehan-resignation_N.htm

Dem resigns to be UMass chancellor

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Martin Meehan, known for his work on campaign finance reform, formally submitted his resignation from Congress on Wednesday, paving the way for him to become chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

An aide to the congressman confirmed that Meehan's resignation letter was delivered to House officials Wednesday morning. His resignation is effective July 1.

University of Massachusetts trustees in April had approved Meehan as head of the Lowell campus, his alma mater. Meehan, who was elected to Congress in 1992, graduated cum laude from the school in 1978

Meehan carved a national profile advocating campaign finance legislation, accusing the tobacco industry of collusion to promote smoking and pushing to repeal the military's current "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay soldiers.

His departure has sparked an intense race to fill his highly coveted seat, one of 10 U.S. House seats in Massachusetts. Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, has set a Sept. 4 primary and an Oct. 16 general election to replace him.

A crowd of potential successors already has lined up, including Democrats Niki Tsongas of Lowell, wife of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas; Lowell City Councilor Eileen M. Donoghue; state Reps. Barry Finegold of Andover, James Eldridge of Acton, and James Miceli of Wilmington.

On the Republican side, Air Force Lt. Col. James Ogonowski is the only announced candidate.

[KoKo]

1. Odd....he was one of the best. Sad to see him go. But, wonder

why he would do this now. :shrug:

[SoxFan]

2. Can't move up

John Kerry is running for re-election, Ted Kennedy will hold his seat until he dies, and Deval Patrick just became governor. After 15 years, he's probably tired of the House, and the UMass-Lowell gig gives him a chance to do something new in his hometown.

[babylonsister]

3. Good opportunity for him? In all fairness, I did read about this awhile

ago when he announced his intentions; time flies.