Rep. Cubin Won't Seek New Term

Rep. Barbara Cubin announced Saturday that she will not seek re-election next year to an eighth term representing Wyoming.

The Republican has missed almost half her votes in Congress this year, spending much of her time in Wyoming tending to her husband, who has been ill for years with an unspecified immune disorder. She also has missed votes this year following her brother's death and after she broke a foot.

"In contemplating 2008, my overwhelming consideration has been the need of my family for me to come home," Cubin told about 60 members of the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee. "I look forward to coming home to be a friend, a wife, a mother, and especially a grandmother."

Cubin, 59, received just 60 percent of the vote in last year's Republican primary to beat challenger Bill Winney. She edged Democratic challenger Gary Trauner in the general election by only 48.3 percent to 47.8 percent.

She said criticism over the missed votes played no role in her decision not to run, a decision she said she made a few months ago.

"None of us know how much time we have left, but what I do know is the time that he has left, I want to be with him," Cubin told reporters, speaking of her husband.

Trauner announced recently that he intends to run again for the seat. Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission last month showed Trauner had more than $168,000 since the 2006 campaign, compared to just $55,000 for Cubin.

Three Republicans have already announced they will run for the seat, including Winney, a retired naval officer. The other two are Cheyenne motivational speaker and substitute teacher Swede Nelson and Casper social worker Kenn Gilchrist.