Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo won’t seek re-election in 2018

Republican Congressman Frank Lobiondo  was first elected to Congress in November 1994. (AP photo, file)

Republican Congressman Frank Lobiondo was first elected to Congress in November 1994. (AP photo, file)

Another Republican member of Congress has announced he will not seek re-election in the 2018 midterm elections. This time it’s 12-term New Jersey Rep. Frank LoBiondo who said he will retire at the end of his term in January 2019.

LoBiondo, 71, represents the 2nd congressional district,  in South Jersey. He joins several other House GOP moderates, including Reps. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, who have decided not to seek re-election in next year’s midterms.

His departure gives Democrats a shot at the seat in a district that President Barack Obama won easily in two elections.

 The Republican official wasn’t authorized to publicly disclose the announcement ahead of the congressman and spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

LoBiondo serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Transportation panel in the House.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.

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