Arizona Rep. Ed Pastor to Retire from Congress

Democrat served for 23 years

U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., the first Hispanic from Arizona elected to Congress and the senior member of the state's delegation, announced Thursday he will retire completing 23 years in Washington. He served as a Maricopa County supervisor from 1976 to 1991.

"I've been in public office for 39 years and it's been a pleasure to serve the people of Arizona," Pastor said in a written statement. "After 23 years in Congress, I feel it's time for me to seek out a new endeavor. It's been a great honor, a great experience and a great joy for me to serve in Congress. I think it's time for me to do something else."