Rep. Blumenauer will not seek reelection after 14 terms in the House

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) announced on Monday he will not seek reelection in 2024 after serving Oregon’s 3rd congressional district for 27 years.

Blumenauer, who is currently in his 14th term in Congress, said it was a “difficult decision” to not run for reelection in 2024.

“Particularly after the amazing successes of the last several years,” Blumenauer said in a statement on Monday. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. From enacting the largest climate and infrastructure investments in American history, helping 100,000 restaurants survive the COVID-19 crisis expanding heath care coverage for millions and making cannabis reform a mainstream position in American politics.”

Elected to the U.S. House in 1996, Blumenauer is currently a member of the Ways and Means Committee, ranking member of the subcommittee on Trade and a member of the subcommittee on Health.

He is also a senior member on the Budget Committee, with economic security for families a central focus on his platform, his office said.

“From my first minutes on Capitol Hill I have worked to promote a more civil and functioning Congress,” Blumenauer said Monday. “From transit benefits for House employees to the creation of a staff gym and a hand delivered letter to every new member of Congress, I’ve tried to make the Capitol Hill community more livable.”

His work with transportation and planning began before his career in Capitol Hill, having previously served on the Portland, Ore. City Council and as a commissioner for Multnomah County in Oregon.

In an interview with Willamette Week newspaper in Portland earlier on Monday, Blumenauer said, “I’m not certain that two more years in Congress in this climate is the best way to deal with things I care about.”

Blumenauer told Willamette Week he is leaving Congress to “be more present” in his community.

His term will run until January 2025 and he told Willamette Week he does not plan to endorse anyone in the race for his seat.