Veteran PA Congressman Retiring

PITTSBURGH, PA — U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle hadn't even announced he was retiring before potential successors began angling for his seat. Doyle, a Pittsburgh Democrat serving his 14th term in Congress, said Monday he will not seek re-election in 2022.

Doyle announced his retirement at a news conference at his congressional office in Pittsburgh's South Side.

"I believe the time has come to pass the torch to the next generation," Doyle said at a news conference at his congressional office in Pittsburgh's South Side. "This was not an easy decision and I spent most of this year going back and forth over whether to seek a fifteenth term."

Doyle represents the 18th Congressional District, which includes Pittsburgh and 53 smaller communities in Allegheny County. He said he expects upcoming congressional redistricting will push part of the 18th District out of Allegheny County and said it's a good time for a new congressional member to start in a newly drawn district.

"The district deserves to hear from a robust field of candidates, and I want to make sure potential candidates have enough time to fundraise and put their platform in front of the voters," Doyle said. "There are many people who might not consider running if they thought I was going to run, so I want to give them the time and opportunity to do so. "

One already has decided to do so.

Several hours before Doyle's announcement, state Rep. Summer Lee filed a document with the Federal Elections Commission signaling her intent to run for Doyle's seat. She represents the 34th Legislative District in Allegheny County.

Doyle serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus. Doyle also co-founded the House Distributed Generation Caucus and the House Robotics Caucus, and has served on the steel, human rights, and the Internet caucuses.

Before being elected to Congress, the Penn State graduate worked as chief of staff for state Sen. Frank Pecora.

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