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Boston, MA – One of the leading liberals in the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has announced his retirement. WAMC's Paul Tuthill reports...
Frank announced Monday that he will end his congressional career after three decades and not run for re-election in 2012. Frank, who is 71, said he had originally intended to seek one more term, but changed his mind, because redistricting would force him to run in areas of the state he's unfamiliar with. Frank is leaving politics, but vowed not to retire from advocacy.
"I expect to be saying exactly the same things as a private citizen a year and a half from now, or a year and a month from now, that I've been saying as an elected official," said Frank. "But I think I'll find my motives less impugn and I'll be able to talk more about the merit."
Another senior member of the Massachusetts delegation John Olver announced in late October that he will not seek re-election in 2012. Olver, who is 75, has represented a large section of western Massachusetts in Congress since 1991.
Paul Tuthill, WAMC News.