[CTC] Rep. Farr announces plans to retire

[Courtenay Lewis]

Rep. Farr announces plans to retire

Jennifer Yachnin <http://www.eenews.net/staff/Jennifer_Yachnin>, E&E
reporter
Published: Thursday, November 12, 2015

California Rep. Sam Farr announced today that he will retire at the end of
the 114th Congress, putting his solidly Democratic seat up for grabs next
year.

Farr, a senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said he
decided to give up the Monterey-based 20th District seat to "serve as a
full-time baby sitter for my grandkids."

"My mission in Congress has been to represent this region ... but what
really struck me in the last year is that next July I'll be 75 years old,
and I was just thinking, 'What do you do with the rest of your life?'" Farr
said in a news conference televised by Monterey, Calif., NBC affiliate
KSBW. "And what you want to do with the rest of your life is spend some
time with your children and grandchildren. ... It's time to come home."

Farr has represented the district since 1993, when he won a special
election to succeed fellow Democrat Leon Panetta, who stepped down to
become director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Farr went on to become the top Democrat on the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Subcommittee. He also founded the House Oceans Caucus.

As he announced his retirement, Farr recounted his most important acts in
Congress, listing his vote against the Iraq War; the creation of California
State University, Monterey Bay; and the establishment of Pinnacles National
Park, as well as his work on behalf of the state's agriculture industry and
its farmworkers.

"I think one of my proudest achievements was creating the first national
park in the Central Coast," Farr said. He also touted his work to preserve
the state's coastline from development via the California Coastal National
Monument.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California praised Farr's tenure in
a statement, referring to him as a "tenacious, far-sighted champion for
California's Central Coast."

"Congressman Farr's determined leadership on behalf of veterans, farmers,
the environment and working families has left an indelible mark on
California and our country," Pelosi said.

Farr had already drawn a Republican challenger in next year's election,
Pacific Grove City Councilwoman Casey Lucius, but the district is expected
to remain under Democratic control.

The *Los Angeles Times* reported that Monterey County Deputy District
Attorney Jimmy Panetta, the former lawmaker's son, has expressed interest
in seeking the seat.

Also mentioned is Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett, who was an associate deputy
administrator at U.S. EPA in 2007 and 2008.

California uses a jungle primary system in which all candidates compete
regardless of party, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general
election.

-- 
Courtenay Lewis
Responsible Trade Program
Sierra Club
202-495-3026 (office)
202-817-0358 (cell)
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