Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Dennis Hastert is expected to announce on Friday his retirement from Congress, a House Republican aide said on Tuesday.
"He is going to announce a retirement ... that's definitive," said the aide, who asked not to be identified.
But the aide added that it was not yet clear whether Hastert, the longest-serving Republican speaker before stepping down after the 2006 elections, would leave his Illinois congressional seat immediately or would serve out his term, which runs through next year.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, who served as speaker of the House longer than any Republican in history, intends to retire next year at the end of his current term, party officials said Tuesday.
A formal announcement is planned for Friday.
Update by EricV:
Here is the link to the CQ article.
The expected retirement of former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert from Illinois' 14th District will serve as a test of Republican strength in predominantly suburban and exurban districts that have long been GOP bailiwicks.
Basically they have no new information, just the belief (that everyone else seems to have) that Hastert will retire. Nothing concrete.
Update 2 by EricV:
Mike Flannery at CBS2 might have something that is meaningful.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports exclusively sources say that they expect Hastert to announce he will not seek re-election next year...
But, the sources believe this time it's real, and they point to sure signs of his decision not to run again. Several key players in previous Hastert campaigns have already signed on with other politicians this time, including important advisors and a top fundraiser. Republican State Senator Chris Lauzen of Aurora said Hastert's political Web site is now out of action.
Update 3 by EricV: 2nd CQ piece is up. It has something in the way of "inside information", but I still don't think it's much more than what we already knew. (i.e. That lots of people in Illinois, GOP included, expect him to retire.)
After less than a year as a rank-and-file House member, former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is expected to call an end to a political career that made him the longest serving Republican Speaker in the history of the House of Representatives.
Several Illinois newspapers, including the Aurora Beacon News and the Chicago Tribune, reported Tuesday that the Illinois Republican has scheduled a Friday announcement on the steps of the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville, Ill. While Hastert aides are refusing to discuss what he plans to say, he is expected to announce that he will not run for a 12th term in 2008, according to Republican sources.
