Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., has opted not to seek re-election, and will retire when his current term expires in January, 2017.
Farr has served in Congress since 1993, and before that he was in the California State Assembly for 12 years.
Farr represents California’s 20th district, which includes Monterey and Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco. His district is also 50 percent Hispanic, and Farr is considered one of Congress’ biggest champions of comprehensive immigration reform.
Farr succeeded then-Rep. Leon Panetta in a special election in 1993. Panetta had been appointed to be President Bill Clinton’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Speculation has been high for years that Leon Panetta’s son, Jimmy Panetta, will attempt to succeed Farr should he retire. Jimmy Panetta is a prosecutor and Afghanistan War veteran.
