Boccieri Comeback Bid Sounding Unlikely
Former Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio) does not appear too eager to run for his former House seat again.
Boccieri, who lost his 16th district seat last year after serving a single term in the House, told Roll Call in a phone interview that he will take a look at the new Congressional map to be passed by state lawmakers later this year but is enjoying spending time with his five young children.
“I’ve been on the political turnpike for 12 years,” he said. “It feels good to pull off the turnpike into a rest area for a while.”
Rep. Jim Renacci (R) defeated Boccieri by 11 points, delivering Republicans one of five seats they picked up in the Buckeye State in 2010. GOP lawmakers also control the redistricting process, which could complicate efforts for Democrats seeking to take back some of those House seats.
“I’ll take a look at it. Ohio is in a very delicate situation. We’re losing two Members of Congress,” Boccieri said, referring to the state’s loss of two House seats due to reapportionment.
He added that he keeps in regular contact with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel (N.Y.) and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), sending them occasional texts and emails.