Updated at 11:55 a.m.
Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., will announce his retirement from Congress on Thursday, theSacramento Bee reports. Cardoza's office said only that he would be releasing a statement at noon, but his departure is a long-expected decision that avoids a potential primary with his close friend, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., in the new 16th District.
Cardoza is the sixth member -- all Democrats -- to announce plans to retire outright so far. He's also the third member of the Blue Dog Caucus to head for the exits -- joining fellow moderate Reps. Dan Boren, D-Okla., and Mike Ross, D-Ark.
Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., will announce his retirement from Congress on Thursday, theSacramento Bee reports. Cardoza's office said only that he would be releasing a statement at noon, but his departure is a long-expected decision that avoids a potential primary with his close friend, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., in the new 16th District.
Cardoza is the sixth member -- all Democrats -- to announce plans to retire outright so far. He's also the third member of the Blue Dog Caucus to head for the exits -- joining fellow moderate Reps. Dan Boren, D-Okla., and Mike Ross, D-Ark.
Cardoza's lackluster fundraising this past quarter had also raised retirement speculation; he raised just $23,000 during the past three months.
"I love the people of the Central Valley, and thank them for the confidence they have placed in me," Cardoza told the Bee. "While I plan to retire from public service after this term in Congress, I will energetically continue my efforts to improve California as a private citizen."
A leader in the moderate Blue Dog Caucus, Cardoza also bemoaned the increasing partisan ship in Washington.
"The constant focus on 'screamers' and the 'horse race' of elections is smothering useful discourse and meaningful debate of public policy," Cardoza told the Bee.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/10/cardoza-to-announce-retirement-from-congress-20
"I love the people of the Central Valley, and thank them for the confidence they have placed in me," Cardoza told the Bee. "While I plan to retire from public service after this term in Congress, I will energetically continue my efforts to improve California as a private citizen."
A leader in the moderate Blue Dog Caucus, Cardoza also bemoaned the increasing partisan ship in Washington.
"The constant focus on 'screamers' and the 'horse race' of elections is smothering useful discourse and meaningful debate of public policy," Cardoza told the Bee.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/10/cardoza-to-announce-retirement-from-congress-20