Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine surprised colleagues when she announced that she will retire rather than seek re-election this year on Tuesday. In a statement, Snowe said that her decision was made “after an extraordinary amount of reflection and consideration.” Snowe was elected to the U.S. House in 1978, then to the Senate in 1994. She was recognized as a moderate who sometimes sided with Democrats in Washington politics. Snow said, “I have no doubt I would have won re-election,” and described her political career in Washington and Maine as “an indescribable honor and immeasurable privilege.”
“For almost four decades, Olympia Snowe has served the people of the great state of Maine. … From her unwavering support for our troops, to her efforts to reform Wall Street, to fighting for Maine’s small businesses, Sen. Snowe’s career demonstrates how much can be accomplished when leaders from both parties come together to do the right thing for the American people,” the White House said in a statement. Snowe was the first woman to serve in both chambers of a state legislator and the U.S. Congress. She turned 65-years-old last week. Republicans and Democrats are reportedly aiming for the vacant seat in November.
