Runyan to retire in 2014

Rep. Jon Runyan (R-N.J.) announced Wednesday he won’t seek reelection in 2014, giving Democrats a strong shot at taking his seat.

“After a great deal of thought and discussions with my family, I have decided not to seek re- election in 2014,” Runyan said in a statement. “Politics shouldn’t be a career and I never intended to make it one.”

{mosads}The former NFL football player was first elected in 2010 and served on the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Natural Resources committees.

He easily won reelection in 2012, outperforming Obama, but his seat leans Democratic and Runyan’s retirement gives the party a good chance at adding a seat in its pursuit of the 17 it needs to gain back the majority.

Democrats are likely to get a solid recruit in Burlington County Freeholder Aimee Belgard, who’s expected to run.