Local News

Hastings Announces He Will Retire From Congress at End of Year

Feb 13, 2014

Today, Rep. Doc Hastings announced that he will retire from Congress at the end of year.

Hastings, who was first elected in 1994 said, “Two decades ago, the people of Central Washington first voted to place their trust in me to represent them in Congress. In the nine subsequent elections, I’ve been humbled to have been given the privilege to serve as their common sense voice and to work for solutions to improve our local communities and pursue a better, brighter future for our Nation. It is with deep appreciation for that privilege that I announce that this will be my final term in office and that I will not run for reelection in November.”

He said, “My ambition as a Congressman then and now has been the same: to do the best job I can to serve Central Washington. Last Friday, I celebrated my 73^rd birthday and while I have the ability and seniority to continue serving Central Washington, it is time for the voters to choose a new person with new energy to represent them in the people’s House.”

Hastings says his job is not yet done, however. He said over the coming year he intends to work as hard as ever on behalf of Central Washington. He added that there are a number of community priorities he is dedicated to seeing achieved in the months ahead.

Hastings said his family weighed heavily on his decision. He said his children, their spouses and his eight grandchildren all now reside in Washington state, and he looks forward to spending more time with them and his wife, Claire.