Veteran Democratic Sen. Mikulski won't seek re-election
Updated: 10:35 a.m. | Posted: 9:07 a.m.
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the longest-serving woman in Congress, says she won't seek re-election to a sixth term.
The 78-year-old Maryland Democrat, now in her fifth term, made the announcement Monday in Baltimore.
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Mikulski known as a tough, no-nonsense lawmaker who rose to the leadership of the powerful Appropriations Committee. She tells reporters that she'll still have 2 years in her current term and says she hasn't written "the last chapter" in her career.
Her retirement is certain to set off a race among potential Senate candidates. These include Reps. Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards. Others include former Govs. Martin O'Malley, who is considering a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Republican Bob Ehrlich.
Mikulski became the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress in 2012. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976 and has served in the Senate since 1987.
In a 2014 interview, Mikulski said her approach as chair of the appropriations panel was "to focus with civility and courtesy. Old school values. Don't do surprises or stunts and negotiate directly and not through the press."
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell described Mikulski at the time as forceful and results-oriented. "I think she's terrific," he said.
Mikulski had been seen as more engaging and approachable than her predecessors as appropriations chair, the late Sens. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. She had spent decades honing relationships with members of both parties, learning their needs and end goals.
"She knows that if you know somebody and what they want, you can help them be successful. And when you help people be successful, Republicans or Democrats, that's how you move bills," said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Mikulski protege.