Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen announced over the weekend she will retire at the end of her term in 2018.
The longtime Republican representative who currently represents Florida’s 27th congressional district said in an interview with the Miami Herald that she and her family decided it was time for a “new step.”
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen originally represented the 18th congressional district from 1989 until 2013 due to redistricting and has served the 27th congressional district since.
Her decision to retire presents a problem for Republicans in an area that went for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton by double-digit margins. Although Ms. Ros-Lehtinen won here by nearly 10 points last November, without her as a candidate the district could turn to Democratic hands in an area that has been leaning blue.
The district was created in 2010 as a result of the census. It is located within Miami-Dade County and includes portions of Miami and Hialeah, both very populous and diverse cities.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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