I am proud of all we have accomplished since I was first elected in 1998. I have always sought to be an active representative, engaged in the concerns and activities of our community. My staff of hardworking Kansans has resolved thousands of cases for constituents facing federal government-related problems and has supported my work in Washington. I was proud to write and help enact legislation to increase death gratuity benefits for service members' families, improved R&R travel benefits for service personnel and childproof cap requirements for gasoline cans. And I successfully worked to bring over $190 million of targeted federal funds back to our district for things like flood control, improved transportation and social services.

I served as Policy Co-Chair for the Blue Dog Coalition for two years during the first Congress in which they were part of the congressional majority. With the Blue Dogs and as a member of the House Budget Committee, I strongly supported fiscally responsible budgets and pay as you go rules. As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, I became chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, which this year has already held seven hearings on TARP implementation and ways to strengthen financial services industry oversight, and helped lay the foundation for comprehensive regulatory reform.

I have always taken this responsibility very seriously. A public office is a public trust. This has been the most exciting and frustrating job I have ever had. Exciting, because of the opportunities to do the right thing for our people; especially those who most need our support, and frustrating because of the strident partisanship which too often distracts Congress from squarely addressing the critical issues of our time.

The current year has been the most intense and busy of my tenure. We have spent long hours struggling over detailed, controversial and far-reaching legislative proposals to reform health insurance, control global warming, and stimulate the economy, along with financial services regulatory reform. Yes, it is tiring. But I have always sought to represent the moderate mainstream of the district, which I hope now will host a robust competition between the two parties to fill this congressional seat. As the first Democrat elected to represent this district in 40 years back in 1998, I know that there didn't used to be partisan competition in northeast Kansas. This progress is good for democracy and important in ensuring that all voices are heard.

I will remain fully engaged in my job until the end of 2010 and anticipate a smooth transition with my successor. My sincere thanks to the voters of the Third District, to my wonderful wife Stephene, our family, my friends, staff and congressional colleagues for making this unique opportunity for public service possible.

DCCC Chair, Chris Van Hollen has confidence through an "early warning system" that a reoccurrence of the GOP purge of 1994 is not likely; assuring that political observers who believe the Democratic Party will see big upsets is premature.

"It's going to be competitive, but this is not going to be a 1994 redux," Van Hollen told Hotline OnCall. "We're doing things that are within our control. Now, obviously if you have a super-wave election, that makes it more difficult, but a lot of these elections are decided at the margins."

Republican candidates vying for voters in the third district suspected the only way to gain a slot in the third district was if Moore were to retire. Former Kansas lawmaker Patricia Lightner, Daniel Gilyeat and John Rysavy, were the only Republicans actively in the race before Moore's announcement.

Nick Jordan, who was the 2008 GOP nominee, however, reportedly is seriously looking at tossing his name in as well. Given the current climate of joblessness, the GOP may still have a difficult time winning this seat if the Democratic Party can add some serious competition in the mix.

One well-known name mentioned includes Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Joe Reardon.

Kansas Democratic Party State Chairman Larry Gates said,

Congressman Moore has dedicated his life to public service. Over the past eleven years, Dennis' commitment to his constituents has been unmatched by any other member of Congress.

Dennis Moore has been a strong advocate for finding common-sense solutions to the tough problems facing our nation. From his unwavering support of our active military and veterans, to his commitment to our children's health, education and safety, Congressman Moore has been a leading voice on the core values of the Kansas Democratic Party.