Rep. Al Wynn (D-MD) announced he's leaving Congress at mid-year, not waiting for the official end of his Congressional career.

We are not terribly upset.

Once upon a time, the manager of a baseball team called one of the players into his office. “Son, you’re being traded,” the manager said.

“OK, Skip,” the player replied. “Who am I being traded for?”

“No one. It’s an even trade that will strengthen the team.”

That’s the situation now in parts of the Maryland suburbs around Washington, D.C., with Rep. Albert Wynn’s announcement that he will leave office in June. Is having no one in office better than having Wynn? It’s a close call, brought on by a selfish act following his 20-point defeat in the Democratic primary by Donna Edwards in February.

From a legislative standpoint, Wynn won’t be missed. The Energy and Commerce subcommittee he chairs has been almost dormant. The Democratic majority is such that his vote wouldn’t be that crucial on the floor. Since his near-death (electorally speaking) experience and his defeat earlier this year in the Democratic primary, Wynn has voted more with a progressive bent than he has in the past. It would be nice, but not necessary, to have him around.

What could be more affected are the constituents in the congressional district his office was trying to help. Granted, his reputation for shoddy service was one of the contributing factors to his defeat, but a staffer helping to get a Social Security check or a veteran’s claim cleared up is still more help than not.

The question is the cost. Estimates are it would cost more than $1 million to hold the necessary special election. If anyone runs against Edwards, there would have to be a Democratic primary. Similarly, a field of two generates the need for a Republican primary. Then there would be a need for a special general election. We’re already talking June now. The House is scheduled to be out from Aug. 11 through Sept. 5 and usually adjourns by late October.

For a state already coping with a fiscal crisis to hold an election, or more than one, seems a bit of a dubious proposition. Perhaps the Wynn staff could stay on to process case work until the November election. Or perhaps since Wynn is cashing out to take money legally to do the bidding of the industries he represented before, perhaps he could contribute some campaign funds to subsidize the election his departure could necessitate.

No one could object to having Edwards in Congress sooner rather than later. She will be a star whenever she gets there, and in the Congressional seniority system even a six-month head start could some day mean the difference between leading a subcommittee or not. I’m not sure it’s worth it.

What is certain also is that Edwards is in the vanguard of the new progressive, net-powered generation of members of Congress. Her arrival, and potentially those of others, could lend some much-needed support to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. With that in mind, Pelosi should give some careful thought to Edwards’ committee assignments. She should get something special, like Ways and Means, or Energy and Commerce. That would be a signal that Edwards and her constituencies are taken seriously by the leadership. Such an appointment after a mid-year special election would send the signal for November and could affect the election of other Democrats. An appointment in January would be just as good.