Campaign 2012

Rep. Jerry Lewis really isn't running

Jerry Lewis, the dean of the California Republicans in Congress, confirmed today what's been around for a few days now. He wont seek reelection this year in the new district he's been given in the Inland Empire. The Flash Report reported earlier this week that Lewis had been telephoning donors to tell them he was retiring, a scoop we reported. Lewis played coy for a day but dropped the act today. From the Washington Post:

Lewis, 77, is the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee....First elected to Congress in 1978, Lewis has served in Congress longer than any Republican in California history.

“After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life,” Lewis said in a press release.


More by Kevin Roderick:
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Recent Campaign 2012 stories on LA Observed:
Cost of Berman-Sherman campaign: $16.3 million
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Santa Monica mayor resigns, heads to Sacramento
Measure J edges closer to (but not over) 2/3
Richard Bloom's lead grows in Westside Assembly race
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Gay vote may have tipped election to Obama
Republican Dan Lungren loses seat in Congress


 

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