Election Brings RPCV Changes on Capitol Hill

RPCV Congressman Chris Shays was defeated last night in his re-election bid.

Shays, a Fiji volunteer who represented southwestern Connecticut for more than twenty years, was defeated by newcomer Jim Himes.

While Congressman Shays was defeated and fellow RPCV Jim Walsh is retiring, one newcomer to Congress has Peace Corps connections.

In Cincinnati, Senegal RPCV Steve Driehaus defeated incumbent Congressman Steve Chabot to win a closely contested race.  Two other RPCV challengers, Costa Rica RPCV Michael Skelly (Texas) and Kenya RPCV Hank Eng (Colorado) were defeated.

Driehaus will join three incumbent RPCVs in the House of Representatives.  Colombia RPCV Sam Farr (California), El Salvador RPCV Mike Honda (California) and Somalia RPCV Tom Petri (Wisconsin) were easily elected last evening.

Comments

[Jonathan Pearson]

Thanks to Dick Morten, who forwarded news that Iran RPCV Ann Johnston won election to become Mayor of Stockton, California.

Add your comments if you have other RPCV election updates.