PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Congressmen Peter DeFazio announced Wednesday he will not be seeking re-election in 2022.
DeFazio has represented Oregon’s 4th congressional district since 1987. He was the longest serving House Member from Oregon and the 65th-longest serving member of the House in U.S. history.
“For 36 years I have fought corporate greed and special interests to benefit Oregon’s working families,“ Defazio said in a statement. “With humility and gratitude I am announcing that I will not seek re-election next year.”
The congressman worked to provide affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act, prevent the privatization of Social Security and pushed for infrastructure investments to create jobs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In response to DeFazio’s recent announcement, Senator Jeff Merkley reflected on his colleague’s many contributions, saying, “What a valuable asset he has been for Oregon and for the United States, over these many decades.”
“He has used his seniority in the House and his role in infrastructure to really help develop infrastructure plans, rebuild America, and get smart policy into place,” Merkley told KOIN 6 News. “And we’re going to miss having his voice and his advocacy in those areas, and so many others.”
More to come.