Two more Republicans announced their retirements in recent days.  Reps. Jim Saxton (NJ-03) and Barbara Cubin (WY-AL) will call it quits.  Democrats will try to spin this as more Republicans giving up hope on taking back the majority.  In fact, they were disappointed with one of those announcements.

Saxton’s seat is a toss-up, but was safe with him there.  He’s fairly conservative for a New Jersey Republican, but by no means would ever be confused for a pork buster.  He managed to entrench himself and hasn’t faced a serious challenge for some time.  His seat is now a toss-up.

Cubin’s decision, on the other hand, actually strengthens our chances of keeping the seat.  Cubin has been a reliable conservative vote when she has shown up, but has been dealing with family issues and spending a lot of time in Wyoming.  She cited family issues as the reason for her decision.  The GOP primary field will be wide open and may attract some of the candidates who were considering primary challenges to the newly appointed Sen. John Barasso.  State Rep. Colin Simpson had already announced his candidacy when Cubin made the announcement.  Though being slightly more conservative than his father, Simpson is certain to face at least one serious challenge from the right, though who emerges at the top of that field remains to be seen.