GOP Rep. LaTourette announces retirement

7/31/12

PAINESVILLE, Ohio - After serving nine-terms in Congress, U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette says he's done.

The long-time congressman, who represents a portion of Trumbull County as well as other parts of northeastern Ohio, has announced that he's retiring and will not run for re-election.

"The time has come for not only good politics, but good policy and I have reached a conclusion that the atmosphere today and the reality that exists in the House of Representatives no longer encourages the finding of common ground," LaTourette said.

Known as a results oriented lawmaker, LaTourette made the announcement from his Painesville office saying in essence Washington is broken and compromise is often considered a dirty word on Capitol Hill.

---snip--
Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan issued a written statement from Washington saying, "It is a shame that there is no longer room in the Republican Party for such a pragmatic problem solver. His retirement is a loss for Ohio and just one more example of how extreme the Tea Party is and how strong their hold is on the Republican Party."

http://www.wfmj.com/story/19159018/gop-rep-latourette-announces-retirement