Barney Frank will not seek reelection!

Courtesy of CNN: Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank, a prominent 16-term liberal Democrat and arch-enemy of political conservatives nationwide, will announce Monday he does not intend to seek re-election in 2012, according to a statement from Frank's office. 

Frank, 71, will hold a news conference in his district to discuss the decision at 1 p.m.

Frank was a favorite of progressives in this country as he always told it like it was, and was impossible for conservatives to intimidate.

He has been a great asset to the Congress, and to liberal causes, and he will absolutely be missed.

I have also read that due to redistricting Frank's district has become somewhat more conservative as of late, which seems to have contributed to his decision, so I have to imagine that the Republicans are licking their chops in anticipation of picking up this seat.

A close adviser told the Globe today that the new district in which Frank would have had to run next year was a major factor in his decision. While it retained his Newton stronghold, it was revised to encompass more conservative towns while losing New Bedford, a blue-collar city where the Democrat had invested a lot of time and become a leading figure in the region’s fisheries debate.

I certainy hope the Dems have somebody solid to put up for this seat in 2012. I would hate to see another Scott Brown worm his way into yet another important political position in Massachusetts.