John Olver Retiring: Massachusetts Congressman Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election

John Olver (D), a 75-year-old congressman from Massachusetts, has announced he won't seek reelection.

His decision follows news that the state will lose one of its 10 congressional districts in 2012 due to redistricting.

A longtime Democrat, Olver had served Masschusettes' 1st district for over 20 years and until recently had planned to run for re-eleection.

As the Boston Globe's Glen Johnson pointed out, the 75-year-old's retirement prevents a showdown between elected officials.

"[Olver's] far-western district had faced combination with one of two nearby districts," he said in a tweet.

The National Journal reports family issues may have also influenced the longtime congressman's decision. In late March, his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

 

 

Comments

[leejcaroll]

10:21 AM on 10/27/2011

"redistricting' redlining for republicans

[Candide33]

07:31 AM on 10/27/2011

That is an honorable man... to step down so that someone else would not lose a seat!

[FireThemAll2012]

07:14 AM on 10/27/2011

just another seat a Republican can pick up.

[hopeisalive]

08:49 AM on 10/27/2011

Not very likely as Massachusettes tends to be Democratic.

[avanteguard]

10:47 AM on 10/27/2011

Yes they do TEND that way but of late we see signs that they are getting smarter...ALA Scott Brown!

[cwaged1002]

06:49 AM on 10/27/2011

At age 75, it is time to retire. His Congressional pension and health care will follow him into a comfortable retirement and pay for his wife's cancer expenses. Lucky him.

[jerzygurl]

06:13 AM on 10/27/2011

The age of 75 should be the accepted retirement age for members of Congress. Move on and give someone else a chance.

[cwaged1002]

06:50 AM on 10/27/2011

I think it should be 72 for all elected offices.

[FireThemAll2012]

07:15 AM on 10/27/2011

4 terms period would be better. Politics was never meant to be a career.

[Not That Far Left]

07:30 AM on 10/27/2011

I think 12 years is reasonable for all elected offices. If someone is really doing a good job and can get 2/3 of the votes from the voters, he should be able to serve another.

Of course if the election season was 3 months long instead of 16, then people would actually be working most of the time they were in office.

[Amalek]

05:41 AM on 10/27/2011

Thank you for your service.

[They Call Me Mr Snark]

05:34 AM on 10/27/2011

The desperation of the republican'ts are showing, that's why they're here.

[parlimentMike]

04:29 AM on 10/27/2011

Darn, I was hoping to vote for him over the useless MA 2 incumbent if they were matched in a redistricting contest.

[wizzardly]

12:56 AM on 10/27/2011

Nancy got him out. The pressure to vote with her left wing was too much. Running as a dem is very hard without any support from the Dem Com.

[6465billy]

11:45 PM on 10/26/2011

This is good news because this is another seat that the Republicans will pick up.

[CubfanBudman]

11:47 PM on 10/26/2011

LOL.

Learn to read. There were 10 seats. Now there will be 9. He would have been running against another democrat incumbent so he retired instead.

There is really no hope for you. You are too far gone and no longer count.

[libertarian101]

11:54 PM on 10/26/2011

Your earlier posts reflect you did not know this.

[tapley]

01:28 AM on 10/27/2011

It is clear you have never been to Western Massachusetts.

[Amalek]

05:41 AM on 10/27/2011

Land of Rachel Maddow, if that gives him a clue.

[CubfanBudman]

11:44 PM on 10/26/2011

I feel that 95% of America's problems could be solved if Republicans would use FACT in their arguments.

Imagine if Fox News viewers weren't the most uninformed people in America? We could really get a lot done.

[hidenout3]

06:51 AM on 10/27/2011

And the fact that the liberal loving inner city voters in this country watch nothing doesn't make them any better or any smarter.

[Sajwert]

06:58 AM on 10/27/2011

Actually, 'liberal loving inner city voters' do watch something, but it is PBS, BBC World News and news sites where there is logical, intelligent and generally even-handed discussions of what is going on in the world.

[hopeisalive]

08:51 AM on 10/27/2011

How do you then explain a "liberal loving" rural voter like myself? To group people or stereotype them doesn't show anything "better or any smarter" either.

[DungBeetle]

11:18 PM on 10/26/2011

Good night, congressman. Lube up and enjoy. I'll never forget what we shared. I'm covered in bacon grease and peach cobbler.

[dwill123]

09:49 PM on 10/26/2011

Memo to DNC:

Let's try not to lose this seat.

Thanks

[MyrtleJune]

09:41 PM on 10/26/2011

Um, it was redistricted. What don't you understand about that? sheesh.

[Amped Up]

10:13 PM on 10/26/2011

Your lib spin dosent fly

[bioShell]

11:01 PM on 10/26/2011

Please just stop name-calling, it gets old.

[Horatio Nelson]

09:13 PM on 10/26/2011

Democrat and retirement sort of goes hand-in-hand. The Dems better up their game or they are out - permanently.

[Axekick]

09:26 PM on 10/26/2011

That is because Democrat and work go hand-in-hand. Who's the last memorable lobbyist you can name to retire?

[HearMeNow1959]

10:52 PM on 10/26/2011

Two *d*otic statements in one post. Congrats Philatio....