It was reported by MSN that veteran Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) plans to retire at the end of his eighth term, bringing to 23 the number of Democrats who have said they won’t seek reelection during next year’s midterms, in which the party risks losing control of the House.“When he retires at the end of his term, our Caucus and the Congress will truly miss his tireless voice For The People,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement Tuesday, in which she also praised Sires’s work on other issues including affordable housing and education.
Sires, who plans an official announcement of his retirement early next year, told local media that he is backing Robert Menendez Jr., the son of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), as his successor for his northern New Jersey district.
“I think Robert Menendez Jr. is a perfect fit for the seat,” Sires told the Jersey Journal on Monday. “He’s young, he’s intelligent, he’s very likable, and I think that his positions fit in well with Hudson County.”[Democratic Reps. Murphy, Roybal-Allard announce they will not seek reelection]
Sires, 70, told the publication that he is retiring because of his age and his view that things are “not going to get any better in Washington.” He said he plans to retire fully rather than embark on another career, such as lobbying.
Reps. Stephanie Murphy (Fla.) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (Calif.) also said Monday that they will not run for reelection, adding to the ranks of House Democrats who are heading toward the exits ahead of the 2022 election.
