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I can’t even begin to express to you how excited I am with the prospect of this woman finally getting into Washington. She is exactly the sort of individual the Founders had in mind to serve our nation, and her character and values and commitment to the conservative cause will make all the difference in the world. The conservative majority in this nation will also have another conservative in the national lineup. This is simply joyful news.

Matheson is the man she lost to in 2010 by about 800 votes. Here’s Matheson’s statement. There’s a lot of speculation about why he’s stepping aside, including fear over ObamaCare backlash being so strong that a second Mia Love campaign will in fact defeat him. For whatever reason, this is good for Love, and for the nation. Sabato’s Crystal Ball has already moved this from “Leaning Democrat” to “Likely Republican,” meaning Love. Of course another Republican could jump into the fray but this is Love’s seat. It was in 2010 as well.

Bottom line, and I know it’s not done til it’s done, but Love entering the House will transform that body, and we have a new and fabulous national conservative star. Thank goodness she opted to run again.

Examiner: Jim Matheson retires, clears conservative star Mia Love’s path to Congress

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, barely defeated Republican opponent Mia Love in 2012, but his decision not to participate in a 2014 rematch clears her path to Congress.

“I am announcing that I will not seek reelection to the House of Representatives,” Matheson wrote in a Facebook post. The Utah Democrat beat Mia Love by just 768 votes during the 2012 election.

“This is a devastating blow for national Democrats,” NRCC spokeswoman Alleigh Marré said of Matheson’s announcement. “As we turn the corner into an election year, yet another Democrat is realizing that they can’t run on Obamacare.”

Love emerged into a national conservative star during the campaign, especially when she gave a speech at the Republican National Convention. That popularity didn’t diminish when she lost the November election and she announced that she would challenge him again earlier this year.

Love raised over $475,000 during the quarter ending July 1. “I’m better prepared, I’m a better candidate. Having gone through this, I understand the issues so much better, how campaigns work,” she said of her candidacy, per Politico. “I have people on the campaign who know exactly what they’re doing. They’ve won races before.”

“This is not my first rodeo,” Matheson said defiantly in the same story. What he didn’t say is that he’d already been through his last.

Hot Air: Breaking: House Democrat Jim Matheson retires, clearing the way for Mia Love

For an enjoyable 4 minutes and reminder of what’s ahead for the House (and our great nation), here’s Mia’s speech at the 2012 GOP convention.