Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, a longtime Democratic leader from suburban Maryland, will join former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in not seeking reelection this year.
“I did not want to be one of those members who clearly stayed, outstayed his or her ability to do the job,” Hoyer said in an interview with The Washington Post published Wednesday.
Hoyer, 86, served as Pelosi’s top lieutenant for years after coming up short against her in a 2001 leadership race, despite the fact that Pelosi backed Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania over Hoyer in a 2006 race for majority leader.
