Rep. Dave Camp to retire

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- The Michigan delegation will lose another incumbent, as Rep. Dave Camp, the chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, announced Monday he would not seek reelection.

The Republican joins Reps. John Dingell, a Democrat and the longest-serving member of Congress in History, and Mike Rogers, a fellow Republican and chair of the House Intelligence Committee, who have also announced their decision to retire after this term.

“Today, I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives. This decision was reached after much consideration and discussion with my family," Camp said in a statement released by the Ways and Means Committee. "During the next nine months, I will redouble my efforts to grow our economy and expand opportunity for every American by fixing our broken tax code, permanently solving physician payments for seniors, strengthening the social safety net and finding new markets for U.S. goods and services."

Camp was first elected to Congress in 1990 and will have served two terms as the chair of the committee. Without a special dispensation from Speaker of the House John Boehner, term limits would have required Camp to give up the chairmanship.

“While I know Michiganders are excited to welcome him back home, Chairman Dave Camp's leadership, integrity, and intellect will be missed in the Capitol," said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., in a statement Monday. "Dave has been a valued friend and trusted colleague. Dave has always been a principled conservative proposing alternatives and ideas to help working middle class families."

“When Dave was fighting, and ultimately beating, cancer, he was such a tremendous inspiration to all of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. He kept serving his constituents even as he faced the largest personal battle of his life. I wish Dave well in his future pursuits, and I know that he will continue to make his family, his district, and the entire state of Michigan proud.”

So far, business owner Peter Konetchy is the only declared candidate for the Republican primary election. No Democrats are yet running.