Rep. Gary Miller said on Wednesday that he would not seek re-election after more than 15 terms in the House of Representatives because of family issues, setting off speculation that his seat would most likely revert to Democrats in this fall's congressional elections.
"While family circumstances dictate that I must leave this great institution at the end of this session of Congress, I am committed to serving out my term with the same energy and enthusiasm that I have always brought to the debate," the California Republican said. "It has been a great honor to spend so many years in public service, striving to make a difference for southern California families.
"While there is still a lot of work to be done, it is now time for me to pass the baton. I will not seek re-election to Congress at the end of this term,” Miller said.
His statement did not elaborate further.
First elected to the House in 1998, Miller is the 41st member of Congress to announce that this year would be his last. He joins 23 Republicans and 18 Democrats to disclose their impending departures from Capitol Hill.
In the House, Miller, 66, is the 11th Republican and 18th member overall to announce his retirement.
Miller was among 28 Republicans to support a one-year extension of federal borrowing authority on Tuesday — agreeing to President Barack Obama's demands to allow a debt-limit increase without any conditions.
The vote was 221
-201 on the legislation that was backed by House Speaker John Boehner. The Senate backed the measure on Wednesday on a 55-43 vote. All of the "yeas" were Democrats.
Democrats considered Miller vulnerable this fall after redistricting made his area heavily Democratic, according to news reports.
His district, which includes San Bernardino, has a 7-point Democratic registration edge — and President Barack Obama carried the district by a 16-point margin in 2012,
Politico reports.
Miller's primary election challengers included Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, lawyer Eloise Gomez Reyes, and former California Rep. Joe Baca.
Republicans hold a 17-seat majority in the House.
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