CongressDaily reports Congressman Chip Pickering, a six-term conservative Republican from Mississippi, announced he would not seek re-election next year. Pickering, CD reports, thought about leaving Congress two terms ago, and now he wants to spend more time with his family while raking in the big bucks on K Street.

NBC's First Read has it as well, and is getting mixed signals as to whether Pickering is resigning or retiring.

Pickering never won election with less than 61%, including his 2002 contest, in which he beat then-Rep. Ronnie Shows (D), 64%-35%, after redistricting pitted the two against each other. President Bush won the district with 64% in 2000 and 65% in 2004, so don't look for the DCCC to put a lot of money here.

Still, Pickering is the second surprise retirement in August, following Rep. Deborah Pryce's announcement yesterday. Republicans need the bleeding to stop before some potentially vulnerable members decide to sit out next year, making the GOP's struggle to regain the majority that much more difficult.