Veteran Virginia Democratic Rep. Moran to retire
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Veteran Democratic Rep. Jim Moran is retiring from Congress.
The 68-year Moran, a former mayor of Alexandria, Va., who was first elected in 1990, has been a staunch supporter of federal civilian employees who have a heavy presence in his district.
Several House Democrats are retiring. Moran's Northern Virginia district in Washington's suburbs is heavily Democratic, however, and considered safe for the party.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Republicans are hoping to pad their majority in the House and they want to recapture the Senate from Democrats in November's mid-term elections.
Moran is the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Interior subcommittee and a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.
He says in a news release, quote, "It's time to close this chapter of my life and move on to the next challenge."