LANSING -- U.S. Representative Dale Kildee announced Friday he will not seek re-election when his current term expires at the end of next year.
"I’m a little surprised," said Lt. Tim Jones with the Flint Township Police Department.
After being in office for 47 years in the Michigan Legislature and Congress, 81-year-old U.S. Representative Dale Kildee announced Friday he's calling it quits.
“I’ll be able to spend more time with my wife, three children, and ten grandchildren," said Kildee.
Kildee is currently serving his 18th term as Representative for Michigan’s 5th Congressional District.
Kildee beat out Republican John Kupiec last November in one of Kildee's toughest re-election bids.
NBC25 was there that night to ask him how he felt about the victory.
"I feel very happy people of this district have chosen to return me to Congress," said Kildee.
Now, Kildee says he's confident his seat will remain in Democratic hands after he retires.
Congressman Kildee is a Flint native and spent a lot of time talking with his constituents. Some say he left quite an impression and helped them with their problems.
"I had a friend who had legal problems and he couldn't get the prosecutor to move on the case, and was getting nowhere, he called Mr. Kildee and he made one phone call, and it was solved the next day," said Flint resident Gary Mabry.
Others say whoever replaces Kildee will have some big shoes to fill.
"This guy's got a resume that would stretch from here to Miami. Some of the laws that have come through have been because of what he has pushed for, for this community,” said Jones.
Kildee says he has this advice for his constituents...
“First keep hope in the government; the government is not the enemy, and demand of us that we be more civil, less partisan, and more cooperative,” said Kildee.
Words of wisdom from a man who has loved to serve the people.
The 5th District, which takes in Genesee, Tuscola, and parts of Bay and Saginaw counties, was changed by the Republican-controlled Legislature during recent redistricting.
Kildee says he's confident his district will remain in Democratic hands, making it an appropriate time to announce his retirement.
Kildee becomes the eighth House Democrat to announce his retirement.
Flint's Mayor Dayne Walling has issued the following statement on Rep. Kildee's retirement:"Congressman Kildee is an exemplary public servant with a distinguished record of accomplishments that is unmatched in Flint's history. Congressman Kildee has been a leader in education, human rights, and social justice. Our community has benefitted time and time again from his wisdom, dedication and hard work. I attribute my interest in elected office to working for Congressman Kildee's re-election campaign in 1998. I consider him a mentor and a friend."
