Lautenberg to Retire from Senate After Term Expires
The 89-year-old U.S. senator officially confirmed he will not seek re-election in 2014.
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After a nearly 30-year Congressional term, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced Thursday he will not seek office in the 2014 election.
“I will be traveling to my hometown of Paterson tomorrow to announce that I will not seek re-election in 2014," read a brief, one-paragraph statement from Launtenberg's press office.
"While I may not be seeking re-election, there is plenty of work to do before the end of this term and I'm going to keep fighting as hard as ever for the people of New Jersey in the U.S. Senate," his message concluded.
Lautenberg's announcement also promised that he was undergoing "a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals, and create more opportunities for working families in New Jersey," although in what capacity, he did not report.
In July 2012, Newark Mayor Cory Booker told press that he was "strongly considering the options" at the end of his mayoral term, and that Lautenberg's Senate seat might be among them. Then, in December 2012, he clarified his choice to run for Senate as Gov. Chris Christie rode a strong high of post-Sandy support.
New Jersey State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D)—who hasn't announced if he'll run for U.S. Senate, but did decline to pursue the governorship in 2013—released a statement on the news today as well:
Senator Lautenberg has fought tirelessly for the people of New Jersey during his time in the U.S. Senate. Frank is someone who never backed down when it came to the issues that mattered most to our state. I look forward to working with him in the months ahead to continue to advance the priorities that will improve our state’s economy and the lives of New Jersey’s middle-class and working families.
Lautenberg's office also produced a .PDF (see above) that listed the highlights of his career as an elected official, which included his work on public transit, environmental issues and gun control issues in New Jersey and on Capitol Hill. He is the only remaining World War II veteran in the U.S. Senate.
Mark
7:26 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
As I am sure he has done a fine job on many different issues relating to NJ and the country alike, I find it appaling that at 89 he was going to even consider another 6 year term in the senate. Term limits for all Washington DC elected officials is what should be taken up in congress, but that will never happen, these folks do not want to leave the gravy train in DC.
I guess OLD Harry Reid (Senate majority leader) is eating crow today after his statement of a few weeks ago when he declared his full and uncoditional support of Lautenberg to contiunue in the "good ol'e boy network".
Maryann Campling
8:00 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I agree, Mark and will concisely add just two words: TERM LIMITS!! Of course, that will never happen because the fat cats who benefit from the current system would never vote to change it. Just plain wrong!
Jeremiah Wright
9:20 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Good riddance.
Joe
8:07 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Don't let the door hit ya!
Occupant
8:41 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Term limits for all.
Tom Stanton
8:49 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
So Patch does report on New Jersey U.S. Senator representatives. I must have missed the Menendez story on accusations of having relations with underaged hookers in the Dominican Republic.
Lautenberg... I thank you for your service to protect our rights under the United States of America Constitution. As per your announcement and own admission to infringe on our Second Amendment right, not only am I thrilled to see you retire from representing our state, you should be impeached.
Occupant
11:55 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
You wont find any negative dirt about Menendez on the Patch Tom, Methinks the Patch has been bought.. You think?
Uncle Jon
8:14 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Occupant is right! I wonder which finger Sean uses when hits the delete button on negative Menendez posts?
Roger Delgado
10:02 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013
To be fair to Sean, he does not delete posts just beause they are negative of someone. He will delete posts that are vulgar, use profanity, or attack people personally.
Remember, Patch is intended to be hyper-LOCAL news thus they don't spend a lot of resources on state-wide or national news. I personally think Menendez is a disgrace to the US Senate and the people of New Jersey but I am ok with Patch giving him mininal press.
It is the local scumbags I want Patch to keep exposing. Leave the bigger ones to the other papers.
Coach
9:25 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Why doesn't he retire now?
Bumpkin
10:16 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Funny how after the crook Torricelli was outed and they illegally rammed Lautenberg's name onto the ballott in 2002 that here we are 14 years later with this idiotic antique representing New Jersey's interests in Washington. It's just crazy. NEVER underestimate the ignorance or stupidity of the New Jersey electorate.
Occupant
12:02 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
I can never understand these "Millionaire" politicians. If I had Lautenberg's money I would be sitting back on my yacht enjoying the good life with my family and friends. Noooooo, they would rather resort to reeking havoc on the public's lives with their stupid, corrupt political actions. Why would they even want to be a politician and be susceptible to the public's constant scorn.
Paul J. DiBartolo
1:01 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
The problem with your suggestion, Occupant, is that you can't meddle in other people's lives when you're out on your yacht and these guys make a career based on thinking they know how we should live our lives better than we do.
Pundit
1:36 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Lautenberg represents New Jersey? I thought he was the senator from Tel Aviv. Lautenberg never saw a bill that favored Israel that he did not like. Who will represent Israel now that Lautenberg is leaving?
Cwood grad
1:35 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Booker 2014!!