Wexler Resigning From Congress; The Question Is Why?

Here's what we know about the decision by Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) to resign his congressional seat:

He's leaving to become president of the Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation in January. The Center's chairman, Daniel Abraham, is thrilled:

This is a great day for the Center and for those who work to achieve Middle East peace. Robert will hit the ground running and employ his skill and vision to help us achieve the peace that Israelis and Arabs seek.

What we don't know is why he is doing this. A "fire-breathing liberal" (to quote the title of his 2008 book) first elected in 1996, Wexler has probably never felt as home, ideologically, as he does now in the strongly Democratic House. But as an unwavering supporter of Israel, might Wexler feel that he and the Obama administration are at odds on how to achieve peace?

Whatever reason he's leaving, Brad Friedman, writing in his Brad Blog, will certainly miss him.

Losing Wexler will be a loss to progressive Democrats in the House given his historic tenacity on any number of issues, from taking on the nonsense of the Clinton Impeachment, to fighting for the responsible Bush Impeachment, to fighting for electoral integrity in the state of Florida. That'll be one less bulldog with a "D" by his name, unfortunately, in a House that could use a lot more of 'em.

The Broward Politics blog at the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel lists Broward Mayor Stacy Ritter and state Sens. Jeremy Ring & Ted Deutch, all Democrats, as potential candidates for the special election. Gov. Charlie Crist may announce the date of the special as early as today. The district is heavily Democratic.

UPDATE: Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) is quoted by various sources as saying Wexler told him that his resignation was partly a result of financial concerns; Wexler has three daughters who are or will be attending college.