Jersey Congessman Rush Holt Won’t Seek Re-Election

Princeton-environs U.S. Rep Rush Holt, who ran against Cory Booker for Senate last year, will step down at the end of his term. Most famous for being a five-time Jeopardy! champion and an actual rocket scientists, he was not only championed scientific research funding, but was also among the more progressive members of the Democratic caucus.

Not that the seat’s going to switch hands, but for what it’s worth, here’s the New York Times breakdown of some likely successors.

Among the Democrats mentioned are Senator Linda Greenstein – though Democrats in the New Jersey legislature might be concerned about losing her seat, which was in Republican hands before she won it. Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula ran against Leonard Lance in a neighboring district in 2012, but lives in Mr. Holt’s.

Revisit Nick Vadala’s 2013 piece “Rush Holt vs. The Patriot Act” here. Best wishes Rush, there’s gotta be a sweet emeritus gig out there somewhere for you.

[NY Times]