This is from memory - but I think I saw that he ran unopposed for something like 6 of his last nine elections.
This always bothers me. I realize when a candidate gets 80-90% of the vote consistently, there's little reason to bother.
Last election was unusual - the Dems decided to run a candidate ANYWAY even in districts where REPUBLICANS run unopposed. (Didn't help much).
Most election cycles, anywhere from 20 to 50 face no opposition in the general election - a few more, token opposition in the form of minor third parties. And MOST representatives face little to zero opposition in primaries.
In fact, most representatives come from "safe" districts. Most of the time, their ascent to power resides not by campaigning - but by kissing asses inside the party. Getting the nomination once the incumbent decides to leave or retire (or in this case - dies). That does kind of wipe out the whole idea that the people make the choices - they DO, but the parties are always trying to rig the game in their favor.