Congressman Tom Reynolds (R-NY), former chair of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee (RCCC) and a staunch opponent of reproductive rights, announced last week that he will not seek re-election in 2008. Reynolds is a five-term Representative, but held his seat in 2006 by a slim margin, reports the Washington Post. Kiani was still stoned to death on July 5, 2007. Ebrahimi’s death was stayed due to the public outcry, and last week the Iranian judiciary amnesty commission released her from prison.
Reynolds has recently been under fire for an alleged embezzlement scandal by the RCCC treasurer while he was chair and alleged leadership cover-ups in the Mark Foley Congressional page scandal, according to CNN.
He is the 29th Republican and the fifth member of the 2005 Republican leadership to retire from the House of Representatives since the 2006 elections. Other Republican 2005 leaders who have left are Dennis Hastert of Illinois and Tom DeLay of Texas. Deborah Pryce of Ohio and John Doolittle of California have announced their retirement as well.
