U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA.) announced Thursday that he will retire rather than seek re-election in 2012, ending his 33 years in Congress.
Mr. Lewis is the third lawmaker from California to retire this week, joining Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA.) and Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA.) in retirement. He is the sixth California Rep. to retire from the 111th U.S. Congress.
Mr. Lewis, the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said he made his decision after consulting with his wife and family.
“I will not seek re-election to the Congress in 2012. After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life,” sad Mr. Lewis in a statement Thursday. “We are deeply grateful to so many who have provided their support over the years. I have worked hard to justify that support. Thank you all and may God continue to bless America.”
According to The New York Times, Mr. Lewis won re-election in California’s 41st congressional district with a more than 60 percent of the vote every year that he has been in Congress. He is known for being pro life and a supporter of stem cell research.
The California Republican will serve out the entirety of his term until it expires next January.
Rep. Gary Miller, whose district was redrawn to include part of Mr. Lewis’s congressional district, is expected to announce plans to run for the open seat.
