Burton to Retire

Dan Burton announced today that he is retiring from Congress when his term is up. He will not seek reelection for a 16th term.


The Republican had been expected to squeak past a large Primary field and battle Scott Reske in the November race. Instead, Burton announced to the Indiana House that he was going to retire at the end of his term.

Burton’s retirement sends the Fifth District race into high gear now. Four Republicans are running, and others that had been sitting on the sidelines might decide to jump in. Former Marion County Coroner Dr. John McGoff, former U.S. Attorney Susan Brooks, former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh, and attorney Jack Lugar are in the race. The Star reports that Mike Delph may enter and even slightly hinted that Mitch Daniels might run.

This certainly changes the metrics for Democrat Scott Reske, a State Rep., who is expected to be the Democratic nominee for the seat. Tony Long is also running for the Democratic nod.

With Burton’s retirement, Pete Visclosky will be the longest serving member of the Indiana U.S. House Delegation if he is reelected, as expected, in November.