Robert Wexler stepping down for Middle East policy job
UPDATE: Wexler is going to be director of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation.
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Democratic sources say U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler of Boca Raton is either stepping down or announcing that he is not seeking re-election because of a new job. Rumors have circulated since the election that Wexler would get a post in President Barack Obama's administration, though it's not clear if that's where Wexler is headed.
Wexler, who is serving his seventh term, is known as a unapologetic liberal and fierce defender of Israel. If he stepped down early, Gov. Charlie Crist -- a close friend -- would call a special election to replace him in the heavily Democratic congressional district that covers northern Broward and southern Palm Beach counties. You can bet every state lawmaker and city/county commission in spitting distance would consider jumping in since in a special election, anything can happen. Plus, local officials can run for a federal office without having to resign their current job. The names already being dropped are state Sen. Jeremy Ring, State Sen. Ted Deutch, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and former Broward County Commissioner Ben Graber.
Beth Reinhard
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Too bad the rules are different for the US House... he could have appointed Eikenberg and had both chambers covered for fleecing!
Posted by: Randall Stevens | October 13, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Too bad the rules are different for the US House... he could have appointed Eikenberg and had both chambers covered for fleecing!
Posted by: Randall Stevens | October 13, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Barry Silver?
Curt Levine?
Irv Slosberg?
Posted by: Randall Stevens | October 13, 2009 at 04:24 PM
If the Dems had their act together, Aronberg would be in this race tomorrow.
Posted by: Dems | October 13, 2009 at 04:39 PM
LOL, great point, 4:14.
Wexler is a raving lunatic liberal big mouth. Is it any wonder he and Chuckles the Clown are close friends? I, for one, am happy to see him gone, and can't wait to see Chuckles gone, too.
Posted by: LEMIEUX=CRIST=SPECTER | October 13, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Go Hasner!
Posted by: PBC | October 13, 2009 at 05:06 PM
Too bad the Legislature changed the law to allow State officers to run for Federal office without losing their seat... I'd love for Ring and Deutch to both run so that we could get them the hell out of the Senate!
Posted by: Be gone! | October 13, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Aronberg could really save the party and run for this seat.
Posted by: Democrat with a Conscience | October 13, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Wexler stepping down? We should be so lucky!
Posted by: Dan | October 13, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Thank God he can't appoint Eikenberg.
Posted by: no | October 13, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Perfect. Lois Frankel should absolutely run for this seat. She is the only one with a filthier mouth that oozes more venom than Wexler. Not to mention her reign of terror on the poor (literally after her extravagant spending) taxpayers of West Palm would finally be over. Grab your broom, Lois, its your turn to ride.
Posted by: Nasty Lois | October 14, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Please, anyone but Dr Graber.
Posted by: Karen | October 14, 2009 at 08:45 AM
So will we here the FDP and the Democrats in Washington call Mr. Wexler all the vile things they called Mr. Martinez when he stepped down?
Or do democrats operate under different sets of rules?
Posted by: duh | October 14, 2009 at 08:46 AM
"Rep. Wexler" and "think tank" don't belong in the same sentence. Wexler is leaving because he is no longer the most arrogant obnoxious partisan hack in Congress. Clearly, Wexler can't stand being upstaged by Rep. Grayson.
Posted by: jaguar | October 14, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Stacy Ritter has announced that she will definately be running for that seat!
Posted by: Broward Resident | October 14, 2009 at 09:35 AM
He has repeatedly denied that the Armenian Genocide occurred, this is very distressing news. He now will be the one brokering peace. I am not comforted.
Posted by: distressed | October 14, 2009 at 10:22 AM
All we can hope for is that he steps down today.
In 2010 and 2012, when Obama and the Demoncraps are bounced due to their Neo-Marxist behavior, Wexler will have to go back to ambulance chasing.
Its going to take years to dismantle this Marxist nightmare; but its our only hope for survival.
Posted by: Good Riddance | October 14, 2009 at 10:28 AM
bye, bye, Bobby. Good riddance. Now stay away.
Posted by: Paulzilla | October 14, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Wexler doesn't live in Florida anyways. He has a home near D.C. Remember his embarrassing video when he was in his pajamas? Good riddance
Posted by: Kal | October 17, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Wexler doesn't live in Florida anyways. He has a home near D.C. Remember his embarrassing video when he was in his pajamas? Good riddance
Posted by: Kal | October 17, 2009 at 12:18 AM