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Michigan Congresswoman Won’t Run for Re-Election (Updated) (Video)

Updated 6:03 p.m. |  Rep. Candice S. Miller, R-Mich., the sole female House committee chairman, will not seek a ninth term, she announced Thursday.  

“This is the community that I love, that I call home, and at the conclusion of my current term in office, I will be coming home. I will not seek re-election,” Miller announced in a video posted to Facebook .  

First elected to Congress in 2002, Miller is one of 22 women in the House GOP conference. Her district includes the eastern part of Michigan that borders Canada on land and water.  

candice miller
Miller is retiring. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

In 2012, Miller became the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, making her the unofficial “Mayor of Capitol Hill.” The committee has jurisdiction over election changes, daily House operations and oversight over legislative branch agencies and Capitol security.  

Her retirement marks the latest long-serving, influential member of the Michigan delegation to leave Congress.  

Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, the longest-serving Senator in Michigan history, retired in 2014 after six terms . Democratic Rep. John D. Dingell, the previous dean of the House who served for 29 terms, also retired  last cycle, along with GOP  Reps. Dave Camp and Mike Rogers.  

A number of Republicans could look to run for her seat, according to Michigan political operatives, who said a crowded race is likely. The list of potential candidates includes:

  • Former state Rep. Pete Lund, who was term-limited out of the state House in 2014. He chaired the state House’s campaign committee, and GOP operatives said he would be a strong candidate if he decided to jump in.
  • State Sen. Jack Brandenburg, a conservative member who rose to the state Senate from the state House in 2010.
  • State Sen. Phil Pavlov, also elected to the state Senate in 2010.
  • State Sen. Tory Rocca, the son of two former state House members.
  • State Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, a 27-year-old state legislator from Macomb County.
  • State Rep. Todd Courser, a tea party member elected in 2014.
  • Former state Rep. Leon Drolet, an openly gay politician.

GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried Miller’s 10th District by a 12-point margin in 2012. Democrats face long odds to pick up her seat in 2016.  

But Democrats mentioned a handful of pols who could run. They are:

  • Former Rep. Jim Barcia, who left the House in 2003 after redistricting would have forced him into a member vs. member race with another Democrat, former Rep. Dale Kildee.
  • Former state Rep. Terry Brown, who lost a bid for the state Senate in 2014.

With her announcement, Miller, 60, is the third House member to announce retirement this cycle without seeking another office. For a full list of retirements, check Roll Call’s Casualty List .  

Bridget Bowman contributed to this report. The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.

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