After 23 years, Rep. Pastor to retire
Dan Nowicki and Daniel González
The Republic | azcentral.com
Rep. Ed Pastor, Arizona’s first Hispanic member of Congress, whose low-key style obscured his behind-the-scenes effectiveness in directing federal money to local projects, will leave a legacy as a hardworking lawmaker who was well-respected on both sides of the aisle.
The Democratic congressman unexpectedly announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election after 23 years on Capitol Hill.
Pastor, 70, is the most senior member of Arizona’s House delegation and serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Unlike some Arizona Republicans he has served with, Pastor has never hesitated to use his position to secure funding for local priorities, such as Maricopa County’s light-rail system and improvements at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
His decision to exit Congress is a blow to the state’s stature on the Hill and is expected to trigger a heated race to replace him in the solidly Democratic and Latino 7th Congressional District."