According to
media reports, Tom Reynolds (NY-26) will
announce his retirement today. This leaves Randy Kuhl as the only incumbent Republican running in Western New York. Reynolds' retirement is late and unexpected, and it probably means another drain on the budget of the NRCC, since Reynolds was a reliable fundraiser.
In 2006, the Rochester media market was crowded with ads from Tom Reynolds and his self-financed opponent, Tom Davis. Reynolds was also able to garner a significant amount of free press coverage due to his party standing, including a visit from Laura Bush. Without the presence of Reynolds and Jim Walsh (NY-25), the 29th race might be the best-funded and most-covered campaign in the Rochester area.