EDWARD MARKEY (SEVENTH DISTRICT) How's this for election consequences: Markey will lose his position as chair of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, because Republicans are expected to dissolve it entirely. Markey is openly competing for ranking member (and thus likely future chair) of the Natural Resources Committee — a move that suggests he is thinking about still being in the House when Democrats regain control, and not planning to leave for a Senate campaign.
JOHN OLVER (FIRST DISTRICT) The 74-year-old congressman is always rumored to be retiring, but being thrust back into minority status could certainly help nudge him toward really doing it this time. Unfortunately for the rest of the delegation, Olver's retirement isn't helpful in solving the redistricting puzzle, since there is nobody who can plausibly envelop his Western Massachusetts district into their own.
READ: Minority Blues: What will Mass. Dems do in Boehner's House? By David S. Bernstein.
Related:
Minority Blues, Boston's last congressman?, Barney's Big Surprise, More 
- Minority Blues
The historic national Republican wave, which saw the GOP gain at least 64 seats in the US House of Representatives, seemed to skip Massachusetts, which elected Democrats in all 10 congressional districts.
- Boston's last congressman?
At the moment, neither the Senate president nor the Speaker of the House lives in the city. And in two years, the unthinkable could become reality: Boston might not have a single congressman residing in its borders.
- Barney's Big Surprise
Long before The Sopranos and Jersey Shore introduced the nation to the ripe effusions of the New Jersey personality, voters in and around greater Boston had accepted Barney Frank as one of the more unusual players in the political game.
- Can Patrick Hang On?
Massachusetts has a mixed record of re-electing governors.
- Reliving the nightmare
Somebody should thank Scott Brown.
- Are Civil (Liberties) Unions America's Best Hope?
Ron Paul and Barney Frank make odd bedfellows, but one hopes theirs is more than a one-night-stand.
- There is no mystery to the debt crisis. Plus: Scott Brown, and the Boston Foundation
Understanding the debate about raising the debt ceiling, and imagining the economic crisis that will follow if Congress fails to do so, is really very simple.
- All signs go for Joe
In his well-executed congressional-campaign launch two weeks ago, Joe Kennedy III took advantage of the intense media interest generated by his family bloodline to convey the message that he wishes to be viewed independently of those family ties.
- The debt crisis is only on hold
The United States was only hours away from joining in the international community of deadbeats and bunko artists — think Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal — when President Barack Obama signed the legislation raising the national debt ceiling and cutting trillions of dollars in federal spending.
- Tea Party Progressives?
When Democrat Peter Smulowitz celebrated his victory in the special-election primary for State Senate earlier this month in the back room of Masala Art restaurant in Needham, no bigwigs from his party were in attendance.
- Might as well jump
Last Thursday, Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island — the last of his legendary clan in Congress — announced that he will not run for re-election.
- Less
Topics:
Talking Politics
, Massachusetts, Democrats, Barney Frank, More
, Massachusetts, Democrats, Barney Frank, Congress, Michael Capuano, Niki Tsongas, James McGovern, Richard Neal, Stephen Lynch, John Tierney, Less
