Congressman Tom Petri formally announces his retirement

WASHINGTON (WITI) -- U.S. Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) officially announced on Monday, April 14th that he will not be seeking reelection to Congress.

Petri has issued the following statement on his retirement:

“I am here to formally announce that I will not seek to represent the 6th District in Congress for another term.  This is a decision I reached after serious thought and consideration with my family and others. 

I’d like to express my sincere thanks to my fellow citizens for entrusting me with the responsibility of representing them for the last 35 years.  It has been a great honor. 

Best wishes to whoever is elected to represent us in the next Congress.  He or she will have the opportunity to turn the great prospects before our country into concrete reality.

I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the 6th District for the remainder of this year.”

Petri is considered one of the more moderate Republicans in the House and was first elected in 1979. He has served on the Education and Workforce Committee and the Transportation Committee.

He has easily won re-election in his Republican-leaning district in east central Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker released the following statement regarding Petri's retirement:

"Congressman Tom Petri has been a long and trusted friend to Wisconsin and to me personally. We will miss his leadership - in particular on transportation and education issues. We thank him for his distinguished service."