Congressman Alan Lowenthal Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection To Congress In 2022

[brooklynite]

Source: Office of Congressman Alan Lowenthal

Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) today issued the following statement to his constituents:

“Almost 30 years ago to the day, I made the decision to run for the Long Beach City Council because I felt that my councilmember didn’t listen to me or my neighbors. Every day since, over three decades of public service, I have recommitted myself to listening to you, to serving your interests, and doing my best for you.

This journey has taken me from Long Beach City Hall, to the California State Capitol, and to our nation’s capital. During my time as a public servant, I have met some of the most incredible people, received the counsel of wise leaders, and had the honor of working with some of the most dedicated public servants.

However, throughout this journey, sharing moments with the people I serve have always been some of the high points of my career. I have been deeply touched by your support over so many years just as I am deeply honored by the trust and faith you have placed in me to represent you.

My first experience in politics was as a teenager working on the campaign of Adlai Stevenson. I have often reflected on him saying that the job of a public servant is to “do justly” and “to walk humbly.” I have tried to live up to this throughout my journey.

But just as every journey has a beginning, so too does it have an end.

I am announcing today that I will not be running for reelection to Congress in 2022.

It is time to pass the baton. It is time to rest and surround myself with the benefits of a life well lived and earned honorably in the service of my fellow citizens.

During this journey, I have had the pleasure of raising two fine sons who have blessed me with four grandchildren who I adore. I now look forward to spending my time with them and watching them grow and flourish into wonderful people like their parents.

It is also a chance for me and my wife, Debbie, who has been my rock throughout this journey and who has been by my side despite her own sacrifices, to even more deeply enjoy our lives together.

But this is not the end. I will be your champion in Washington for another year, and I am determined to make the most of that time. After that, there are certainly other pages left to write in my life and other challenges I would like to take on beyond the halls of government.

As Robert Frost wrote, there are miles to go before I sleep.

I believe deeply in the innate goodness of our nation and our people. I have seen us live up to that potential so many times, and in doing so, move our nation and the world forward. But progress must be earned. It remains up to each of us to continue that struggle.

While I am stepping aside from the front lines of that struggle, I will continue to be at your side, fighting for what is right, for what is just, and for what makes us better as both a people and a nation.

It has been a distinct honor and a true privilege to serve you and all of the people of Los Angeles and Orange counties in the 47th District during my time in Congress.”

D+14 District

Read more: Link to source

[NurseJackie]

1. At 80 years old, he deserves to retire.

Alan Stuart Lowenthal is an American politician who has been the United States representative for California's 47th congressional district since 2013. Wikipedia
Born: March 8, 1941 (age 80 years), New York, NY
Nationality: American
Office: Representative (D) since 2013
Previous office: Member of the California State Senate (2004–2013)
Spouse: Bonnie Lowenthal (m. 1966–1988), Deborah Malumed
Children: Daniel Lowenthal, Joshua Lowenthal
Education: The Ohio State University (1967), The Ohio State University (1965), Hobart and William Smith Colleges (1962)

[jimfields33]

2. I think this is around the 20th representative to put in papers

I guess it happens every two years but seems a lot this year.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. It sortof mirrors the large shift in the job market

with the WW2 babies and boomers finally starting to retire/exit the workforce.

Back in the early 2000s, alarms were sounded about what would soon be a seismic shift in the job market fairly soon after the articles were published (with dire consequences to the SS fund trumpeted continually for years), but that didn't happen, and for various reasons including financial necessity or good enough health/desire to continue in the workforce in some capacity through the duration of their lifetimes.

It took some time and a pandemic as catalysts to trigger the exodus.