Rep. Roukema Retiring After Record House Run
- Share via
Rep. Marge Roukema (R-N.J.), the longest-serving woman in Congress, said she will retire after her term ends next year.
Roukema, 72, of Ridgewood, was first elected to Congress in 1980. She said she made the decision not to run for a 12th term during the summer but delayed her announcement until the congressional redistricting process ended, and because of the Sept. 11 attacks.
A leading moderate voice in her party, Roukema struggled at times with more conservative GOP members.
Her retirement creates an open seat in New Jersey’s Republican-leaning 5th Congressional District.
More to Read
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox twice per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.