Longtime Democrat Lawmaker Announces Retirement From Congress

Longtime Democrat Representative Grace Napolitano has officially announced her plans to retire from Congress.

Rep. Napolitano has been in office for over 25 years after being elected back in 1998.

In a statement Napolitano said “Thank you all so much for being here and this great honor.”

Since retiring three candidates in the San Gabriel Valley District have already thrown their hat in the ring to replace Napolitano.

Longtime California Democrat Grace Napolitano announces retirement | Washington Examiner https://t.co/aKYeQYdHid

— Cassis (@cassisnouveau) July 8, 2023

Here’s what the Washington Examiner reported:

Longtime Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) announced her plans to retire at the end of this Congress after 25 years in office.

In a statement on Saturday, Napolitano — who was first elected in 1998 — said she is “incredibly grateful” for her constituents who elected her cycle after cycle.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Thank you all so much for being here and this great honor,” she said in the statement. “My focus has always been representing my district, first; state, second; and nation, third. We still have a year and a half more of work to do, and I will give 110% every day fighting for the San Gabriel Valley in the United States Congress. Thank you, all! God bless!”

Napolitano’s district changed four times during her tenure in Congress, but she always won reelection in the heavily liberal district.

“Congresswoman Grace Napolitano is a trailblazer and a tremendous leader in our Caucus,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a statement. “Congresswoman Napolitano has left a remarkable legacy on both the San Gabriel Valley and the Congress and we wish her and her family the best as she prepares for this next chapter.”

Longtime California Rep. Grace Napolitano says she is retiring from Congress at the end of her current term https://t.co/s718F1Xmjj

— CNN (@CNN) July 8, 2023

Here’s Napolitano’s’ official press release:

Today, Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) announced that she will retire from Congress at the end of this term, issuing the following statement:

“For 25 years in the United States Congress, I have represented the city of La Puente. This is the only city I have represented for all of those years. That is why it is fitting that I here today announce that at the end of this term in 2024, I will be retiring from the United States Congress.

“I am incredibly grateful for the people of the San Gabriel Valley and the people of Southeastern Los Angeles County for the trust they have bestowed in me to represent them for a quarter century. I have lived in this community since I moved to Norwalk, California in 1960. I have seen our region grow with ingenuity that has built some of America’s greatest businesses, and the desire for residents to live in a kind, picturesque, and family-friendly community that has made millions of people move here, build homes, and have their own piece of the American dream.

“I am proud of the work we have done together that has improved this community. I have served as a senior member of the Transportation Committee in Congress and we have built over 20 highway-rail grade separation projects and 40 grade crossing improvement projects to remove highway-rail crossing hazards, and improve the speed and safety of the commute to work, to school, and to commerce.

For 25 years in Congress, I have represented La Puente, the only city I have represented for all of those years. That’s why it’s fitting that I there today announced that at the end of this term in 2024, I will be retiring from the United States Congress. https://t.co/Vda0PsEv8j pic.twitter.com/ueGz6JdIBa

— Rep.Grace Napolitano (@gracenapolitano) July 8, 2023