Michigan Rep. Brenda Lawrence becomes latest House Democrat to retire

Michigan Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D) on Tuesday said she would not seek another term after serving eight years in Congress, making her the 25th House Democrat this year to announce plans to retire.

“This year marks my 30th year in elected public service, and I’ve had the good fortune of serving Michiganders on the local and national level,” Lawrence wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, along with a video announcement. 

“After reflecting on my journey & having conversations with my family, I’m announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to Congress,” she wrote.

This year marks my 30th year in elected public service, and I’ve had the good fortune of serving Michiganders on the local and national level.

After reflecting on my journey & having conversations with my family, I’m announcing that I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. pic.twitter.com/QBmdExSKaj

— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) January 5, 2022

Lawrence, 67, a former mayor of Southfield, Mich., has been serving as the vice chairwoman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) announced Monday that he will not seek reelection after serving 15 terms in Congress, telling the Chicago Sun-Times that he wants to spend more time with his family. 

“I don’t want my grandchildren … to know me from a television news clip or something they read in a newspaper,” Rush told the Sun-Times. “I want them to know me on an intimate level, know something about me and I want to know something about them. I don’t want to be a historical figure to my grandchildren.”