Shadegg Enters Leadership Race As Candidate For Reform and Renewal

Via The Hotline:

House Policy Chairman John Shadegg today announced that he will seek the post of House Majority Leader in the elections on February 2.

"For the past several days, I have spoken with members all across our Conference," Shadegg said. "Based on those conversations, I believe that a majority of Republicans in the House understand the need for real, thorough reform. We must renew our commitment to the principles that won us a majority in the first place: fiscal discipline, smaller government, lower taxes, a strong national defense, returning power to the states, and greater personal freedom."

Shadegg (AZ) has an uphill battle, as Majority Whip and acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (MO) and John Boehner (OH) have been steadily gathering support among the Republican conference, each claiming to have around 100 members on board (116 constitutes a majority).

Still, at the blogger conference in Washington earlier this week, both Rep. Trent Franks (AZ) and Senator Jon Kyl (AZ), who used to hold Shadegg's House seat, told us they would support Shadegg's bid should he enter the race.

Excerpted from a letter sent by Shadegg to House Republicans:

I am running for Majority Leader, and I ask for your support. In addition, in order to make clear my commitment to this race and my goal of leading a reinvigorated Republican majority, I am resigning my position as Policy Chairman. I personally believe it is not appropriate to try to retain one position in our elected leadership while running for another. My campaign is based on reform, and reform should begin with an open process.
...
We need to reform the earmark process and end secret backroom deals. We must also reform our antiquated budget process, and take a clear stand for open and honest government. No elected official, including a Member of Congress, who takes a bribe should get a taxpayer-funded pension.
...
Reagan once said, “If you're afraid of the future, then get out of the way, stand aside. The people of this country are ready to move again.” I think this Conference is ready to move again, and move toward the reforms the American people deserve.

Further:

Shadegg press release
Letter to House Republicans

Update:

An appeal by center-right bloggers has been floated at The Truth Laid Bear, which calls for the next majority leader to be "thoroughly and transparently free of the taint of the Jack Abramoff scandals, and beyond that, of undue influence of K Street."

I agree that the leadership election is an excellent opportunity for Republicans in Congress to take real leadership in the drive for reform, accountability, and transparency.  As such, I'm happy to throw my support behind this appeal.  The full text of the statement and its signatories of record are in the extended post.

An Appeal from Center-Right Bloggers

We are bloggers with boatloads of opinions, and none of us come close to agreeing with any other one of us all of the time. But we do agree on this: The new leadership in the House of Representatives needs to be thoroughly and transparently free of the taint of the Jack Abramoff scandals, and beyond that, of undue influence of K Street.

We are not naive about lobbying, and we know it can and has in fact advanced crucial issues and has often served to inform rather than simply influence Members.

But we are certain that the public is disgusted with excess and with privilege. We hope the Hastert-Dreier effort leads to sweeping reforms including the end of subsidized travel and other obvious influence operations. Just as importantly, we call for major changes to increase openness, transparency and accountability in Congressional operations and in the appropriations process.

As for the Republican leadership elections, we hope to see more candidates who will support these goals, and we therefore welcome the entry of Congressman John Shadegg to the race for Majority Leader. We hope every Congressman who is committed to ethical and transparent conduct supports a reform agenda and a reform candidate. And we hope all would-be members of the leadership make themselves available to new media to answer questions now and on a regular basis in the future.

Signed,

N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid Bear
Hugh Hewitt, HughHewitt.com
Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit.com
Kevin Aylward, Wizbang!
La Shawn Barber, La Shawn Barber’s Corner
Beth, MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Lorie Byrd, Polipundit
Jeff Goldstein, Protein Wisdom
Stephen Green, Vodkapundit
John Hawkins, Right Wing News
John Hinderaker, Power Line
Jon Henke / McQ / Dale Franks, QandO
James Joyner, Outside The Beltway
Mike Krempasky, Redstate.org
Michelle Malkin, MichelleMalkin.com
Ed Morrissey, Captain’s Quarters
Scott Ott, Scrappleface
John Donovan / Bill Tuttle, Castle Argghhh!!!