Longtime Democratic Rep Price to retire from Congress

FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2012 file photo, Rep. David Price, D-N.C. addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Congressional Democrats are on a retreat in more ways than one this week. As Democratic lawmakers gather in Baltimore to talk strategy and lick election wounds, their party faces diminished powers in Congress, GOP dominance in the states, and a shrinking pool of potential candidates for future elections. The picture is especially bleak in the South, where some Democrats hope courts will overturn GOP-controlled “gerrymandering” of congressional and state legislative districts. Elsewhere, Democrats in swing states say their party must get better at highlighting the improved economy and the surge in energy production under President Obama. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

RALEIGH – U.S. Rep. David Price, a Democrat, announced Monday he will retire from Congress at the end of his term in 2022.

Price announced the news in an interview with television station WRAL.

“It is a dream come true to be in this position and I’ve never lost that sense of amazement,” Price told WRAL about his years in Washington, D.C.

He has represented the state for more than 30 years and was first elected in 1986.

“David Price has served the people of North Carolina for 34 years with integrity and distinction. Though we almost never agreed on policy, David is an honest broker who I worked with many times to advance the interests of our state and nation. I particularly appreciate David’s commitment to our men and women in uniform,” said U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-08). “He never turned me down when I asked for his help on behalf of our servicemembers at Fort Bragg. Renee and I wish David and Lisa all the best as they look to begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Immediately after the announcement, the Raleigh News & Observer said that state Sen. Wiley Nickel, who started a campaign committee well before the Census data gave the state an additional seat, would likely run for the position. The outlet also mentioned former state Sen. Floyd McKissick as a possible candidate.