Reynolds [R-NY] is the 22nd House Republican to announce his plans for retirement this cycle, compared to just three Democrats who have done so. Another three Republicans and three Democrats are running for other office, and four more Republicans have already left the chamber during this Congress.Partly because it is not much fun being in the minority,
 | HOUSE.DEM.2008 The Democrats to control the House of Representatives after 2008 Congressional Elections | 92.4 |
| HOUSE.GOP.2008 The Republicans to control the House of Representatives after 2008 Congressional Elections | 9.6 |
| HOUSE.NEITHER.2008 Neither Party to control the House of Representatives after 2008 Congressional Elections | 0.5 |
I thought an even better insight into Congressional incentives, and the responses thereto, was in a description in a related news story of Congressman Reynolds' fiscal philosophy: "Reynolds spent much of his time in Congress advocating for lower taxes. He may be remembered best in his district for the winning effort in 2005 to save the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, which had been slated for closure in an intense round of military cost-cutting."
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