After a week in which they managed to snag some top recruits, the NRCC took a hit today when word leaked that long-time Ohio Rep. Ralph Regula will announce his retirement. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz and David Drucker report the announcement could come as early as tomorrow.

Regula, first elected in 1972, has had little trouble holding on to his district, in Northeast Ohio just south of Cleveland. Still, the district is close. President Bush won just 53% of the vote in 2000, and beat Kerry only 54%-46% in 2004. Democrats are excited about their candidate, State Sen. John Boccieri, while Republicans hope to recruit State Sens. Kirk Schuring and Ron Amstutz, Toeplitz and Drucker write.

Regula did get a scare last year, when Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller took almost 42% of the vote in the Republican primary to Regula's 58%. Miller has already declared he will try for the seat again.

The seat should favor Republicans, at least initially, but if Democrats invest in the race, Boccieri would be another strong pickup opportunity. Again, as Republicans are forced to defend more seats from retirement, their resources become less effective as they are spread more thinly.