WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin has missed almost half of all House votes this year, staying away from the Capitol due to her husband's illness, her brother's death and her own broken foot.

"It has been an extraordinarily difficult year for our family," Cubin, R-Wyo., said from Wyoming Medical Center in Casper Tuesday, where Dr. Frederick "Fritz" Cubin is scheduled to undergo another surgery this week. "No one regrets the votes that I've missed more than I do."

Cubin, a Republican, has missed 427 votes this year, or 45 percent. That's the third highest percentage in the House, and the top two - Republican Reps. Charlie Norwood of Georgia and Jo Ann Davis of Virginia - are both deceased.

The average number of missed votes per member is 3.9 percent, according to The Washington Post database.

Cubin, who was first elected to the House in 1994, says she is frustrated by rumors and reports that she may not seek re-election in 2008.

"At this point in time I absolutely intend to run again," she said.

The main reason for the missed votes is her husband's fragile health. Dr. Frederick "Fritz" Cubin has long suffered from an immune disorder and has been hospitalized repeatedly in Casper this year, often in critical condition.

His next surgery, scheduled for today, will aim to remove blood from his spleen.

At times, Cubin said, she didn't know whether her husband would live or die.

"All the tragedy we have had tends to wear you down," she said. "But we both believe he is going to get better."

She says she has been unfairly criticized by some for missing votes.

"I feel like if I were a man, people would say what a wonderful, sensitive man taking care of his wife," she said.

Cubin missed votes for other reasons, as well. Her brother died in February. She traveled to Iraq with other members of the House Sept. 6 through 10, and broke her foot in Casper Sept. 15, spending five days in the hospital. In addition, Cubin said, her mother is suffering from advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease.

She said she has been working from home while she tends to her husband and hopes to return to Washington next week. Her last vote was Sept. 6.

"I am praying that Fritz will be in a good enough position that I can leave him," she said.

Cubin barely survived a challenge from Democrat Gary Trauner in 2006 after defeating challenger Bill Winney with 60 percent of the vote in her party's primary.

Trauner, who has suggested he may challenge Cubin again, criticized Cubin for missing votes during the campaign.

A handful of Republicans, including state Rep. Colin Simpson, R-Cody, have also made rumblings about potentially challenging Cubin in a GOP primary next year.

Swede Nelson, who lists himself as a motivational speaker and part-time substitute teacher, is the first Republican to announce he is challenging Cubin.

"I'm sure the wellness of a spouse has to be an enormous burden on somebody's mind, and I'm sure that will play in her decision," Nelson said when he announced.