In an attempt to lay retirement rumors to rest, 81-year-old Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R) filed papers last week to seek a ninth term.

A vacancy in the sprawling 6th district probably would set off a huge scramble, at least on the Republican side, with Bartlett’s son, state Del. Joseph Bartlett (R), among those in contention. But the elder Bartlett probably can hold the seat for as long as he wants it.

He will have at least one Republican primary challenger in former Cumberland Mayor Frank Nethken, who already has run unsuccessfully for Congress twice. 2006 Democratic nominee Andrew Duck, an Iraq War veteran, is expected to try again in 2008.

— Josh Kurtz