The Races: House 10 - Ballard to Retire
Representative Eddie Ballard of Hopkins County has decided not to seek reelection in 2010:
Ballard, who has served in the House since 1987, said friends have encouraged him to run again, but "I have decided that if my wife Rae and I are going to do some of the things we have been planning for years, now is the time.
"That includes traveling and visiting friends in other states. Since we are both in reasonably good health - Rae walks regularly, and I can do more than 100 'sink-ups' in less than two minutes - I believe now is when we should start planning our retirement. Age has nothing to do with it; I won't even be 80 until December."
Ballard, who is chairman of the House Tourism Development and Energy Committee, said he announced his plans now so that others who may want to take his place have more than five months to decide. Jan. 26 is the filing deadline for those running in the May 2010 primary.
Ballard was one of the higher-ranking Democrats on our scorecard, ranking #42 in 2008 but with a paltry score of 40.
Hopkins County voted solidly Republican at the federal level in 2008, voting for McCain 61-37; McConnell 55-45 and Congressman Whitfield 67-33. On the other hand, the county voted for Democratic candidate Hendrickson over Secretary of State Trey Grayson in about the only competitive race in 2007, 52-48.
Ballard hasn't been challenged for the seat since 2000, when he beat Republican Todd P'Pool 62-38. Ballard was unopposed in '02, '04, '06 and '08.
The 10th district encompasses most, but not all of Hopkins county.
