Serrano announces retirement after Parkinson's diagnosis [View all]

[Eugene]

Source: Politico

NEW YORK — Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), a longtime Bronx congressman and one of the House's most liberal members, announced Monday he would not seek reelection in 2020 because he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“Today, I am announcing that I am living with Parkinson’s disease,” Serrano said in a press release.

“After my diagnosis, I initially planned to continue my work representing the people of the South Bronx far into the future — a responsibility that brings me great joy. Although this disease has not affected my work in Congress, over the last few months I’ve come to the realization that Parkinson’s will eventually take a toll, and that I cannot predict its rate of advancement. Because of this uncertainty, I do not intend to seek reelection in 2020. I do intend to serve the remainder of my term in the 116th Congress.”

Serrano, who has served in Congress since winning a special election in 1990, is 75 years old and is the longest-serving Hispanic-American in the House. The Puerto Rico native has long served on the House Appropriations Committee, where he currently chairs a subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies.

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By LAURA NAHMIAS 03/25/2019 01:47 PM EDT Updated 03/25/2019 04:59 PM EDT


Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/25/jose-serrano-retirement-parkinsons-1235230