Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren Won't Seek Fifth Term

NewsOn6.com

MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma -- After four terms in the U.S. Congress, Oklahoma's 2nd district congressman Dan Boren will not seek re-election for a fifth term.

Boren, the state's only Democratic member of Congress, made the announcement official during a news conference in Muskogee Tuesday.

Boren said it was a difficult choice to make, but family considerations played a part in the decision.

"It was based on the demands of constant campaigning , and most importantly spending too much time away from my family which include two very young children," he said.

Boren said he will spend the remainder of his term focusing on committee work.

"Serving the people of the 2nd district has been one of the greatest honors of my life and I truly enjoyed my job and serving others is a gratifying lesson that I plan to pass along to my children," he said.

11/2/2010 Related Story: Rep. Dan Boren Elected To Fourth Term In U.S. House

The second district stretches from northeast Oklahoma to the Texas border in southeast Oklahoma.

Boren won re-election last November, defeating Republican Charles Thompson.

With Boren's announcement, former 2nd district congressman Brad Carson indicated he may seek his old job back.  Carson, a Democrat, held the office from 2000 to 2004. 

"I am considering it again, after many friends have called encouraging me.  There are pressing issues both locally and nationally, and I believe that my experience in business, education, and politics is essential to getting things back on the right track," said Brad Carson.

Carson also praised Boren for the job he has done for Oklahoma.

"Dan Boren did a great job representing Eastern Oklahoma, and I am saddened to hear that he has decided to retire.  But in retiring from Congress, he can claim many great accomplishments. He will be missed, and I wish him the best in his future plans," said Brad Carson.

Read the statement from Congressman Dan Boren below:

"I have made the decision not to seek re-election next year for another term in Congress. This is not an easy decision for me. It was based on the demands of constant campaigning, and most importantly spending too much time away from my family which includes two very young children.

I will spend the next 18 months focusing on committee work which includes my position as ranking member of the Indian Affairs Subcommittee, a member of the Intelligence Committee, a member of the Blue Dog Leadership team, and as co-chair of the House Natural Gas Caucus. At the end of this term, I will have served a decade in elected office which includes the Oklahoma Legislature and the Congress. I am proud of the record of independence and bipartisanship that our office has undertaken.

There are no better people than those in the Second District of Oklahoma. It has been an honor serving them. It is my intention to serve out the balance of my term and not letting up until my time is completed. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Andrea, our wonderful staff, and again the great people of the Second District of Oklahoma."