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California Democratic Rep. Susan Davis announces retirement

Davis is the third House Democrat to decide against reelection this cycle

California Rep. Susan A. Davis is not running for reelection. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
California Rep. Susan A. Davis is not running for reelection. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

California Rep. Susan A. Davis announced Wednesday that she is not running for reelection, opening up a safe Democratic seat in San Diego. 

Davis, who was first elected in 2000, is the third House Democrat to retire so far this cycle.

“My decision today represents a desire to live and work ‘at home’ in San Diego,” the 10-term congresswoman wrote in a letter to her constituents. “I will continue to give my all for the next sixteen months and will work as earnestly and as enthusiastically as I have always tried to do.”

Hillary Clinton carried the 53rd District by 35 points in 2016, while Davis won reelection last year by 38 points. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the 53rd District race Solid Democratic.

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Davis, who worked as a social worker and served in the California Assembly before she was elected to Congress, told her constituents she will not miss “the near weekly cross-country commutes.” She touted her work as ranking member and chairwoman of the Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee and as chairwoman of an Education and Labor subcommittee.

Davis voted closely with Democratic leadership over her nearly two decades in Congress, supporting party priorities 96 percent of the time, according to CQ Vote Watch.

“I do not know what I will do next but I know there are many ways to serve our community,” Davis wrote.

Simone Pathé contributed to this report.

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