
'U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler to step down
BY BETH REINHARD
BREINHARD@MIAMIHERALD.COM
U.S. House of Representatives member Robert Wexler of Boca Raton, a self-described ``fire-breathing liberal,'' defender of Israel and friend of both President Barack Obama and Gov. Charlie Crist, is quitting Congress to head a think tank seeking peace in the Middle East.
In a conference call Tuesday night with Democratic leaders, Wexler said he will become director of the Washington-based Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. Wexler, 48, is expected to make a public statement about his plans at a 10 a.m. Wednesday press conference at his Boca Raton office.
The jockeying to represent his heavily Democratic congressional district began in earnest Tuesday as the news of his departure began to leak out.
``I'm still a little bit in shock over all this,'' said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Parkland, though he added he was ``for sure'' considering a run for the seat.
Miami Herald