Perlmutter out! Vulnerable Democrat to retire before he gets fired

Jan 10, 2022

Clearly signaling that 2022 will be a good year after all, Colorado’s most unforgettable congressman has announced he will not seek reelection thus giving Republicans an edge to win the 7th district in the November election. 

You can’t fire me, I’ll quit, explained Democrat U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter in a tweet Monday morning. 

 

It’s been a privilege to help his friends, Perlmutter notes right off the bat.

But it’s time for him to find other opportunities to help himself, he goes on to explain.

Better update that list ASAP, Axios, Democrats are dropping like flies.

Perlmutter was first elected to represent the 7th Congressional District in 2006, which was redrawn last year after the Census count.

Republican Army veteran Erik Aadland announced in December he was switching from the U.S. Senate race to the GOP congressional primary, and former state House candidate and Trump delegate Laurel Imer is also running for the Republican nod.

The Colorado Sun reports that Perlmutter’s decision “is sure to upend Colorado’s political landscape heading into the midterm elections in November.”

Perlmutter is among a number of U.S. House Democrats that decided not to seek reelection in 2022. This year is expected to be a tough one for Democrats as they try to defend their congressional majority amid slumping poll numbers.

Washington Beltway political pundits predicted the district would remain solidly Democrat after redistricting, but without that incumbent edge, Colorado Republicans are optimistic.

Perhaps gloating, just a little. And why shouldn’t they?

It’s amusing that some in the Denver media establishment are upset Republicans aren’t praising Perlmutter as if he were one of their own.

As if Republicans are supposed to be gracious and kind to Democrats. You know, like how progressives treat conservatives on any given minute of the day.

But it’s all just a smokescreen to hide the writing on the wall — Democrats are going to lose control of Congress in the November election, and there’s nothing the media can do to stop it.

Republicans in Washington didn’t bother to thank Perlmutter, either. In fact, they appear fairly anxious for him to get out of their way.

From the Washington Times:

“Ed Perlmutter knows House Democrats won’t be in the majority after the midterm elections. He made the smart decision to retire rather than lose reelection,” NRCC Spokeswoman Courtney Parella said in a statement.

 

The Congressional Leadership Fund called the retirement of House Democrats a “crisis” that has evolved into a disaster for Democrats.

 

“Democrats know they have a simple choice: Retire or get fired,” said Communications Director Calvin Moore. “Democrats’ retirement crisis has become a disaster of epic proportions because they know their failed record will cost them the majority.”

Also not on the thankful bandwagon, some within his own party, which probably explains why he’s not running for reelection.

 

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