NEENAH, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Congressman Tom Petri (PEE’-treye) says no one factor led to his decision to retire after representing the 6th District for more than three decades.
The 73-year-old Republican announced he will not seek re-election at a town hall meeting in Neenah Monday.
Petri says several factors contributed to his decision. Post-Crescent Media reports Petri said: “Sooner or later, you either are booted out, die or retire.”
He thanked his constituents and said it’s been an honor to serve them for 35 years.
Petri is a centrist Republican at a time when his party has been moving to the right, and he would have faced a rare primary challenge from more conservative candidates. He faced only two Republican primaries since 1996, and he had at least 82 percent support in each.
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