NJ-11: Frelinghuysen retiring

[Nyvin]

This is EXACTLY the kind of upscale, suburban district that's nationally trending to the Democrats and Frelinghuysen was not term limited in his post either.   There's no other way to spin this than Republican insiders being afraid of a Dem wave in 2018.

[Nyvin]

You guys are forgetting that the Morris County GOP has a huge bench

Any Italian or Irish NJ Republican can win this seat by not nationalizing Trump

The Republican candidate does not decide whether or not Trump is nationalized.

[Nyvin]

Sabato moved it to tossup.

With this there are now 20 Republican held seats in either the tossup or lean Dem categories.  

That's either 3 or 4 (depending on PA-18) away from flipping the house without any Lean R seats (also assuming Dems hold MI-13 obviously)

[Nyvin]

The most annoying people on the internet are the moderate GOP #nevertrumpers who like electoral politics and try to spin every development into a "win" for the GOP. I saw at least three takes online saying Issa and Royce retiring was actually a boon for the GOP because they were disliked or something...

If an incumbent without a scandal is retiring, their district becomes more competitive. That's how it works.

Look up my scant post history. I think I have at least three comments suggesting that Frelinghuysen should retire to help the party. I have been saying so for months.

Obviously Royce's retirement is bad for the party — we now have no real shot in that district. Issa's is probably neutral just due to the advantages of incumbency, but Frelinghuysen was essentially toxic. I am glad he retired, even though I support him personally. He could not win against Sherrill.

Anyway, Frelinghuysen is not an incumbent without a scandal, so I'm not sure why you're bringing this rant here:

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/16/rodney-frelinghuysen-ethics-complaint-238452

I'm sure national Republican officials are just thrilled to hear of Frelinghuysen's retirement.