In the January 19 special Senate election Republican Scott Brown carried the 10th district 60%-40%

Democrats exiting the sinking ship?—Part 22: Massachusetts

By: Michael Barone
Senior Political Analyst
02/14/10 5:13 PM EST


Sen. John Kerry will be watching as his fellow Massachusetts Democrat, Rep. Bill Delahunt, considers retirement. (AP / Tesfaye)

Democrat Bill Delahunt has represented the 10th congressional district of Massachusetts since 1996. Since his first election he has never had significant opposition. He won the seat 54%-41% in 1996 and received between 64% and 70% of the vote in general elections from 1998 to 2006. In 2008 he had no Republican opponent at all. This year looks different. In the January 19 special Senate election Republican Scott Brown carried the 10th district 60%-40%. Now the Boston Globe reports that Delahunt is considering retiring rather than running for reelection. He is quoted as saying, “I have held elective office for nearly 40 years. I understand that there is always an ebb and flow. Today you are up and tomorrow you are down. That is the rhythm of political life.â€