Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen Announces Retirement

WAYNE, NJ — Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) announced Monday he will retire at the end of the current session of Congress, boosting the Democrats' chances to take over a majority of the House of Representatives.

Frelinghuysen, 71, public service career began in 1984 when he was elected to represent New Jersey's 25th Legislative District.

Frelinghuysen, a Republican, released a statement on his pending retirement Monday morning:

I want to use the opportunity to strongly encourage the many young people I meet to consider public service. Public service is an incredible way to turn your convictions into something that serves the greater good and to do it alongside people from every walk of life and background. That has certainly been my experience here in this House, and during my Army service in Vietnam. I thank my friends and colleagues with whom I have served. My years in public service have allowed me to represent my home county of Morris for over 40 years, and also Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties, and earlier on, Somerset! That would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Virginia, our two girls and my late father and mentor, Peter. The unsung heroes of my time in Congress are my staff, both in Morristown and Washington, who tend every day to the needs of 730,000 constituents.

NJ 11th For Change, a grassroots organization composed of district constituents, also released a statement Monday. The group has long lobbied Frelinghuysen to hold a town hall meeting with residents or meet with them at his district offices at his Morristown or Wayne offices.

"Rodney Frelinghuysen's retirement is the culmination of a yearlong accountability campaign carried out by the constituents of New Jersey's 11th District," the group said. "For over a year, we asked nothing more than an opportunity to meet with our Congressman. Instead, Frelinghuysen hid from us, refused all invitations, and actively avoided interactions with those in the 11th District — the very people he was supposed to represent in Washington. With vote after vote, we were betrayed. And yet, his constituents continued to call and rally at his offices, writing letters and asking to be heard."

New Jersey Working Families Alliance Executive Director Analilia Mejia said that Frelinghuysen's retirement is "a testament to the organizing, outreach and mobilization of thousands of voters in his district, including the tireless advocates of NJ 11th for Change."

"Every single member of Congress should take pause and consider the power of their constituents and reevaluate their chummy relationship with an administration that is out of touch with the morals, values, and ideals of most Americans," Mejia said. "This, however, does not mean that we shall go home content with the Congressman’s exit, but rather a sign that we shall redouble our efforts in other districts across the state where New Jersey working families are not satisfied with their representation.”

Governor Phil Murphy thanked Frelinghuysen for his service to the district.

“Public service runs deep in the Frelinghuysen family and, while we have not always agreed on the issues, Rodney has always been a dedicated public servant who has stood by his convictions," said Murphy, a Democrat. "Tammy and I wish Rodney and Virginia all the best in the next chapter and look forward to continue working together on issues important to the future of our state.”

New Jersey Senator Richard J. Codey (D-27), thanked Frelinghuysen, a Vietnam War veteran, for his military service.

"I commend his service and that of his family to our great state and our nation since its founding," said Codey, a Democrat. "He has been a friend not only to me but to thousands of New Jerseyans."

Frelinghuysen is chairman of the powerful U.S. House Appropriations Committee. He has faced harsh criticism for years for not holding a town hall meeting with his constituents for years.

In a somewhat stunning reversal, Frelinghuysen voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts. He also voted in favor of a budget resolution in October that paved the way for the legislation to be passed, along with its proposal to ax the state and local tax deduction (SALT) that saves the average New Jersey family thousands of dollars a year. He was the only Republican New Jersey member of Congress to do so.

Frelinghuysen faced stiff competition for re-election this year from Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and ex-federal prosecutor of Montclair, and Tamarra Harris, a businesswoman from Verona.

"Frelinghuysen’s retirement is an example of what can happen when engaged citizens challenge the status quo, raise their voices, and take action," NJ 11th For Change said. "This is exactly what democracy looks like."

Mitchell Cobert, another Frelinghuysen challenger, said that the district's next representative must be someone "who stands for common ground and common sense."

"To all of those concerned citizens who have been so vocal this past year seeking change, your voices have been heard," Cobert said in a statement. "We now have an opportunity for new leadership in Congress that will work to stop the reckless partisanship that divides our country. As a qualified, long-time resident of the 11th district, I will continue to meet with every club, committee, organization, and concerned citizen to work for solutions to the issues facing all of us.

RELATED: Frelinghuysen Vote On Tax Reform Sparks Outrage In New Jersey

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Photo: Republican Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11th)/Image courtesy of Congressman Frelinghuysen, background image via Shutterstock