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April 19, 2012

U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns
U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns

U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns Will Not Seek Another Term

U.S. Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns, who has represented New York's 10th Congressional District in Brooklyn since 1982, announced on Monday that he will not seek a 16th term in office.

“After months of long family discussions, I have decided not to seek re-election for my seat in the United States House of Representatives,” said Towns, a Democrat. “I am very grateful for the support we have received over the years. I believe firmly that we would have won a 16th term had we decided to run.”

Towns would have faced a difficult challenge because he would have had to run in the re-drawn 8th Congressional District. His 10th district was redrawn because of the 2010 census. In the 8th District, he would have faced state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, who raised more money than Towns. Jeffries' campaign reported $398,000 at the end of last month, while Towns reported $254,000, according to the Federal Election Commission.

In past elections, the 77-year-old Towns easily defeated opponents in some instances by winning 85 percent of the vote. His congressional district included Fort Greene, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Cypress Hills, East New York and Canarsie.

In 2010, Towns was appointed chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he investigated mortgage fraud and Wall Street. He also has served on the Energy and Commerce Committee and subcommittees, including Health, Communications, Technology and the Internet and Commerce Manufacturing and Trade. Towns also served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1991 to 1993.

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