Eleven term Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger announced Friday that he will not run for reelection.
The second district Democrat, who was first elected to Congress in 2002, previously had served as Baltimore County’s Executive and as a County Councilman.
Ruppersberger turns 78 next week.
In a written statement, Ruppersberger said it was an incredibly difficult decision.
“Now more than ever Congress needs thoughtful, end-game representatives like me-members who care more about constituents and our country and less about cable news hits,” Ruppersberger wrote. “But it is time to pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders.”
Ruppersberger said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Ruppersberger has served 12 years on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which put him in a position to funnel money to his district and the state including support for the Port of Baltimore and efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
His decision to step down clears the way for an expected run for his seat by the current County Executive, Johnny Olszewski.
In a statement, Olszewski described Ruppersberger as a friend and mentor and an “unwavering force for good across the Baltimore region, throughout Maryland, and across the country.”
Olszewski has not made an official announcement, but last year he formed an exploratory committee to raise money for a possible run for Congress.
In an interview earlier this month with WYPR Olszewski said, “If there’s an opportunity to expand, elevate, promote the work that we’re doing here in Baltimore County to a larger stage, to a bigger level, that is something we would look at very seriously. At this point that’s not the case. There’s nothing currently available before us.”
With Ruppersberger’s announcement a “larger stage” is now available for Olszewski.
Political observers say Olszewski’s name recognition and his ability to raise money would make him a formidable candidate in the second congressional district, which is mostly made up of Baltimore County.
Two Democrats, Jessica Sjoberg and Clint Spellman Junior have filed to run in the party’s primary.
The deadline to file as a candidate in Maryland is Feb. 9.
