The unexpected retirement of a Mississippi Congressman improves the chances of Rep. Leonard Lance becoming a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee chairman, if he wins re-election and if the GOP holds the House.
Rep. Gregg Harper is the third Republican member of the committee to retire that had more seniority than Lance. With Rep. Marsha Blackburn giving up the Communications and Technology Subcommittee chair to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Tennessee, Lance is next in line to replace her.
If Democrats take the House, New Jersey’s Frank Pallone would be in line to chair the full committee.