Longtime Rep. Pete Visclosky announces retirement

Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year.

Visclosky, who has served in the House since 1985, currently chairs the Appropriations subcommittee overseeing defense spending.

{mosads}“For my entire career I have worked to build support for our domestic steel industry and organized labor, secure investments in transformational projects and improve our quality of place to benefit the only place I have ever called home,” Visclosky said in a statement.

“For those who wish to serve our next generation of citizens I would encourage each to apprise us of your vision for our area and the priorities you will dedicate your attention to at the national level. Be for something and not against someone. Strive to overcome the intolerance that grips our nation and recognize that only through mutual respect, rational discourse, cooperation and fair play can we build a good and strong community and country,” Visclosky said.

Visclosky’s 1st Congressional District, in northwestern Indiana, is expected to remain under Democratic control.

Visclosky handily won reelection last year by about 30 points over his GOP challenger.

While President Trump carried Indiana by 19 points in 2016, Visclosky’s district went for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by nearly 13 points.

Visclosky is the eighth House Democrat to date to announce they won’t seek reelection in 2020.