Grace Napolitano, a longtime Democratic representative, made a big statement when she said she would be leaving Congress. Napolitano has been a committed public servant since her election in 1998 and has been in office for more than 25 years.
In a statement Napolitano said “Thank you all so much for being here and this great honor.”
“Thank you all so much for being here and this great honor,” she said in the statement. “My focus has always been representing my district, first; state, second; and nation, third. We still have a year and a half more of work to do, and I will give 110% every day fighting for the San Gabriel Valley in the United States Congress. Thank you, all! God bless!”
Longtime California Democrat Grace Napolitano announces retirement | Washington Examiner https://t.co/aKYeQYdHid
— Cassis (@cassisnouveau) July 8, 2023
Throughout her term in Congress, Napolitano’s district moved four times, yet she consistently won reelection in the heavily liberal district.
“Congresswoman Grace Napolitano is a trailblazer and a tremendous leader in our Caucus,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a statement. “Congresswoman Napolitano has left a remarkable legacy on both the San Gabriel Valley and the Congress and we wish her and her family the best as she prepares for this next chapter.”
State Senator Bob Archuleta (D-CA), Citrus Community College Trustee Mary Ann Lutz, and Baldwin Park Planning Commissioner Ricardo Vazques are the three candidates that have already submitted paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to vie for her position.
At the occasion where she announced her retirement, Napolitano endorsed Archuleta to succeed her, according to the Los Angeles Times.
