Bay Area Congresswoman Jackie Speier will not be seeking re-election in 2022.
Listen to the latest episode of "Bay Current" below.
Despite her reputation in Washington D.C. as an ambitious politician who gets "things done," Speier is planning to pass the torch. KCBS Radio Political Reporter Doug Sovern said that Speier’s announcement wasn't unprecedented since she's been serving in Congress for over 40 years.
"We probably shouldn’t see this as a massive surprise because she is 71," Sovern told KCBS Radio's "Bay Current" on Wednesday. "But she kept this secret very well, and it took the Bay Area political class by surprise."
Congressional seats do not open often and it has been a long time since there was an opening.
"In the Bay Area if you're a liberal democrat, you can hold that seat for 20 or 30 years," Sovern added. "It's a big deal."
California's 14th Congressional District is a large region and covers much of San Mateo County and a portion of San Francisco. Speier has been an aid and supporter of San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, and has supported a similar, progressive agenda.
"Speier is well known, and her district goes down through the peninsula in a very important part of the Bay Area. It's a critical district, covering Caltrain and the airport. People are used to whoever represents that area being high profile," Sovern said.
Speier has been a powerful advocate for women's rights, mental health reform, and childcare legislation.
She has one more year left in Congress.
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