Rep. Albert Wynn may have served 16 years in the House of Representatives, but his announcement yesterday that he was retiring eight months before his final term ends may be the cheapest move in his political career.

Wynn, who lost a hotly contested primary to Donna Edwards earlier this year, announced that he was leaving his seat for a job at a local law firm starting in June. His transition to a better-paying job comes at the expense of his constituents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, who will either have to go six months without a representative in the House, or have to cough up the money for a special election to fill the seat until the November general election. Wynn played up his resignation as something of a gift for Edwards:

“My leaving early will also allow our Democratic nominee, Donna Edwards, the opportunity to successfully navigate a special election and be sworn in this summer. This will not only give her seniority in the incoming Congressional Class of ’09 but, more importantly, will allow her to get off to a fast start in serving the citizens of our community. I offer her my best wishes and stand ready to assist in any way possible.”

Wizbangblog isn’t impressed, giving Wynn the Knucklehead of the Day award:

Another selfish politician who only thinks of himself. If you get elected to serve two years, SERVE them. This is starting to become too common a practice, elected representatives leaving the office they were elected to hold to instead enrich themselves. (I don’t buy the BS that Wynn resigned to give Edwards more time. Wynn is bitter that he lost re-election) Republicans Trent Lott and Louisiana Congressman Richard Baker being recent examples. A costly and needless special election will now have to take place in Maryland thanks to Albert Wynn, that’s why I name him today’s Knucklehead of the Day.

If Rep. Wynn is truly ready to assist, he could start by holding that seat until November. If that’s really not possible, maybe he could help pay for a special election with the newfound wealth that this law firm gig will afford him. As citizens who lack a regular voting member of Congress, we have a hard time buying any justification for seeing our neighbors in PG and MoCo go without one, too.