Rep. Phil Travis (D-Rehoboth) announced yesterday that he will not run for re-election. This is a real pity, as he was one of the few reliable, courageous voices in the Mass. legislature, defending common sense and traditional values. At 65, he said he wants to pursue other interests and spend more time with his family. According to the Boston Globe ("Gay marriage opponent decides he won't seek another term"):
[Travis] added that he fears Massachusetts is becoming more liberal than it already is, and contended that the House has moved too far to the left under Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.
"I just think that we're losing our moral compass," Travis, one of the most conservative Democrats in the House, said in an interview at his State House office.
Travis has been an important leader in the legislative battle against homosexual "marriage". He's strongly anti-abortion, and just last week spoke up against the legalized sale of hypodermic needles. He's now serving his 12th term.
Oh well, we do favor the idea of term limits. But it's no good when only the good guys leave.
