Pa. State Rep Frank Oliver won’t seek re-election

The longest serving state representative in the Pennsylvania State House says he won’t seek a 20th term this year. 87-year-old Frank Oliver from North Philadelphia says he wants to spend more time with his wife.
Representative Oliver says he only meant to serve one year when he ran in a special election back in 1973.

The longest serving state representative in the Pennsylvania State House  says he won’t seek a 20th term this year. 87-year-old Frank Oliver from North Philadelphia says he wants to spend more time with his wife. [audio:100212spretire.mp3]

Representative Oliver says he only meant to serve one year when he ran in a special election back in 1973.

Oliver: There really was no particular interest. I just wanted to see how the legislative process worked.

But Oliver says Democrats were in the minority at the time, and party leaders urged him to seek re-election.

After 37 years in Harrisburg, Oliver is, not surprisingly, against term limits.

Oliver: If they enjoy themselves, they should be able to be there as long as they want, and as long as the people want them there.

Eight years ago Oliver held off a challenge to his seat from Shariff Street, the former Mayor’s son. Oliver says he’s already picked his successor for the 195th district, a longtime aide  named Michelle Brownlee. She’ll run for election this year.