WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Brian Baird of Washington says he won't seek re-election next year, the 10th Democrat announcing a resignation from Congress in recent weeks.
Baird has been Southwest Washington state's voice in Congress since 1996, The (Portland) Oregonian reported.
The announcement came as a surprise, the report said, though Baird was the target of unflattering stories earlier this year for spending tax money on expensive trips.
The Oregonian said there would be a wide-open race to replace Baird next fall, since his district is made up of conservative to moderate voters.
"The time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving," Baird said in a statement released Wednesday night, The Washington Post reported. "This is not an easy decision, to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision at the right time."
The Post said Baird joins Tennessee Rep. John Tanner and Kansas Rep. Dennis Moore as tenured Democrats who have decided to step down.
The newspaper said Baird's retirement will increase speculation that potentially vulnerable members are leaving rather than risking losing their races in a tough 2010 election.
