The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle writes: Jim Walsh will be missed in Congress



For 20 years, Walsh has served his constituents well as a moderate Republican voice, particularly refreshing after the GOP gained House control in the mid-1990s. Walsh stuck his neck out, for example, to oppose GOP attempts to eliminate President Clinton's AmeriCorps national service program. He also opposed deep cuts in the federal food stamp program. And as a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, he brought billions to the region. Most recently, he accounted for $2 million for a crime lab in Rochester, which is outside his district. Congressman James Walsh of New York served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal in the 1960's.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle writes: Jim Walsh will be missed in Congress

Rep. Jim Walsh will be missed

Caption: Rep. Jim Walsh holds his wife DeDe's hand while making the announcement that this year will be his last year of service in the congress. Walsh made the announcement to the press in his office at the James Hanley Federal Building in Syracuse N.Y. His daughter Maureen looks on. Photo: Dennis Nett / The Post-Standard

(January 25, 2008) — Rep. Jim Walsh caught most people by surprise in the 25th Congressional District, which includes eastern Monroe County, when he announced Thursday that he would not seek re-election in November.

For 20 years, he has served his constituents well as a moderate Republican voice, particularly refreshing after the GOP gained House control in the mid-1990s.

Walsh stuck his neck out, for example, to oppose GOP attempts to eliminate President Clinton's AmeriCorps national service program. He also opposed deep cuts in the federal food stamp program. And as a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, he brought billions to the region. Most recently, he accounted for $2 million for a crime lab in Rochester, which is outside his district.

But the unpopularity of President Bush turned the tables on the popular congressman in 2006 when he was nearly unseated by Democrat Dan Maffei.

There was never any question that Maffei would seek a rematch and no signs that Walsh would step aside. Suddenly, before a news conference in Syracuse, Walsh told this page that he used "a long process that evolved into a no-go" decision. "I feel good about it."

And so do a long line of possible GOP successors, who include recently re-elected Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.

"I'm never one to close the door on a potential opportunity," she said of a possible run. Hmm, for now.

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Headlines: January, 2008; RPCV James Walsh (Nepal); Figures; Peace Corps Nepal; Directory of Nepal RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Nepal RPCVs; Politics; Congress; New York