OH-16: Regula (R) Retiring

Talking Points Memo is reporting, via Roll Call (subscr. req'd), that Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Navarre) is retiring.

If true, this means State Sen. John Boccieri (D-New Middletown) is running for an open seat. Presumably State Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) will now officially join County Commissioner Matt Miller (R-Ashland) in the GOP primary.

UPDATE: It is also being reported in The Guardian:

Rep. Ralph Regula, an Ohio Republican who has served in the House for 35 years, is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire at the end of his term, GOP operatives said Thursday.

Regula, 82, is the dean of Ohio's congressional delegation and the No. 3 Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee. He has held his seat since 1973.

Regula's retirement has been long anticipated and he has begun informing congressional colleagues of his decision, said a senior Republican in the state and aides to GOP colleagues. They requested anonymity in order to speak candidly about the matter.