House retirements present opportunity for Republican majority in 2008

Indiana politico Brian Howey ran a blurb in his daily wire about retirements in the House.

Eight House incumbents declined to seek re-election as filing deadline passed on Friday (Howey Politics Indiana). They include: Democrats Joe Micon, Dave Crooks, Phil Hoy and David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays who are seeking the 7th CD. House Republicans decling to run include Eric Gutwein, Mike Ripley and Larry Buell. (emphasis ours)

Certainly the Micon seat and the Crooks seat, districts that Bush 2004 won handily, are major opportunities for Republicans. Republicans have recruited excellent candidates in Mark Messmer (HD63) and Randy Truitt (HD26).

Howey didn’t mention the Denbo district, also a red seat that is now occupied by an appointed freshman Democrat.

However, the Hoy seat and the Orentlicher seat have been competitive in recent cycles.  In Orentlicher's seat, Republican Adam Nelson is the candidate.

If nothing else, 2008 will be a year where Democrats will be forced to defend a lot of open seat races.