Jon Runyan Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2014 (Updated)

Updated 10:51 a.m. |
“After a great deal of thought and discussions with my family, I have decided not to seek re- election in 2014,” Runyan said in a statement. “Politics shouldn’t be a career and I never intended to make it one.”
The two-term Republican is one of 17 members of the House GOP caucus to represent a district President Barack Obama carried in 2012. Obama won the district with 52 percent in last year, but Runyan won re-election with 54 percent.
That status should make Runyan’s district a top target for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which needs to pick up 17 seats to win the majority in the House.
Burlington County Freeholder and attorney Aimee Belgard is currently the only Democrat running for the seat, located in the Philadelphia suburbs.
The Star-Ledger and the
and the Burlington County Times first reported the news of Runyan’s retirement.
New Jersey’s 3rd District is currently rated a Safe Republican contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.