Rep. Dennis Moore Retires; A Chance For The GOP

The Republican Party had been after Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)--a Blue Dog who represents a mostly conservative district, R+3 by the Cook Political Report's accounting--for some time. Now, it's being reported that Moore will retire after his term ends in 2010. In an election cycle that's generally expected to favor Republicans nationwide, Moore's retirement hands an added opportunity to the GOP--an open seat in a district that was considered winnable even with a Democratic incumbent.

Nick Jordan, the Republican who ran against Moore in 2008 and lost 56 percent to 40 percent, might fare better this time around, should he run again. The question of 2010 will be which conservative, Democratic-held seats Republicans can pick up. We don't know yet what candidates will emerge from each party, but Moore's retirement will turn a target district into even redder meat for the GOP.

UPDATE: Kansas City's PrimeBuzz has a list of GOP candidates for the seat. Jordan is in; State Sen. Jeff Colyer, State Sen. Karin Brownlee, Charlotte O'Hara, and Greg Musil are all considering it. State Rep. Kevin Yoder says he's forming an exploratory committee.