U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer Nears Decision on Retirement

In recent weeks, he’s consulted family and friends.

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer. (Blake Benard)
By Nigel Jaquiss

The will-he-or-won’t-he discussion about U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s reelection plans are louder than normal this year.

Blumenauer, 75, has held one of the safest seats in Congress since 1996 and this year celebrated a half-century in elected office: He first won election to the Oregon House in 1973.

In recent weeks, he’s consulted family and friends about whether to retire or stick around for what looks like a determined attempt by the GOP majority to fumble control of the U.S. House to Democrats.

“Every election cycle about this time, Earl starts having conversations with family and friends to decide if he should run for reelection,” says longtime aide Willie Smith. “As he says, every cycle those conversations get harder. He has been having those conversations and is very close to making a final decision. We anticipate he will be making it very shortly.”

Should Blumenauer decide to retire, among those mentioned as potential successors are Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and former County Chair Deborah Kafoury.

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