DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, Chairman A.J. Spiker offered his sincere appreciation to Congressman Tom Latham for his nearly two decades of Congressional service to the people of Iowa. Congressman Latham announced today that he would not seek re-election in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. Chairman Spiker stated,
“The Republican Party of Iowa is proud to have worked with Congressman Latham over the years to help the people of our great state. Congressman Latham has been in office for 18 years and has worked to craft a stronger nation that lowers taxes and provides more freedom for its citizens. Over the years due to redistricting, Congressman Latham has served a great many people in Iowa and I was proud to call him my Congressman when his district included Ames. Beyond his service as a Congressman, Tom Latham served Republicans in Iowa years before he was first elected. Tom served as a county party leader, was a leader of the Republican Party of Iowa as a State Central Committee member, and is a past delegate to the Republican National Convention. On behalf of over 600,000 Iowa Republicans, thank you Congressman Latham for your service. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”
Latham’s announcement:
On behalf of myself and my family I hope that this Christmas Season continues to be full of peace and joy for you and your loved ones.
The greatest honor of my lifetime has been the opportunity to serve my Iowa neighbors in the United States House of Representatives. And, as I travel around the state I take great pride and joy in the many accomplishments that you and I have worked to achieve on behalf of our great state.
As I noted earlier this year, my service to Iowa has never been motivated by titles, accolades or a drive to secure a place for my name in history or on a building. I have always been motivated by a responsibility and commitment to the people of Iowa, who elected me to faithfully work for an America that provides greater freedom and more opportunity for our children and grandchildren.
But responsible leaders – regardless of what level they serve – must always take time to reflect on when it is time to step away from the task that they love. This is a discussion that I have every year with my family. They are my life.
My professional life has taken me away from home often. In fact, in my 39 years of marriage to Kathy I have spent half of it on the road building a family business and the other half serving in the United States Congress.
It is never a perfect time or a right time to step aside. But for me, this is the time.
I want to share with you my decision that I will not be a candidate for any office in November of 2014.
What makes this decision most difficult is the continued and faithful friendship and support I have received from you and so many friends. Because of you, I have never been in a stronger position to win reelection to Congress. I will never find the words that can adequately reflect how truly blessed I feel. For a farm kid from a small town in Franklin County this has truly been an amazing and honored experience.
I still have one year left on my term and we have a great amount of work to do on behalf of this nation and her people.
I will continue to work over the next year with every ounce of energy to advance common sense solutions that transcend politics and provide results that end wasteful spending, gets our debt under control and delivers a more efficient, effective and accountable government.
Again, thank you for your continued friendship, support and guidance. May God continue to bless you, bless our great state and bless the United States of America.
