Senator Johanns Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election

By: Stephanie Morrissey - Email

Updated: Tue 4:42 AM, Feb 19, 2013

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Republican Mike Johanns says he's retiring from the U.S. Senate at the end of his term
Will not run for U.S. Senate in 2014
Johanns wants to spend more time with his family and focus on his faith
Nearly three decades in various local, state and federal offices
Says his decision has nothing to do with the heightened partisanship in Washington

Republican Mike Johanns of Nebraska says he's retiring from the U.S. Senate because he and his wife both felt that they've spent enough time in public service.

Johanns said Monday that his decision to not seek re-election was focused largely on a desire to spend more time with his family.

"It's just a very personal decision between me and Stephanie. At the end of my term, it will be 32 years in public service. If you're about 30 years old, which is the age of my daughter, you've never known a time when Mike Johanns wasn't in public service," Senator Johanns said.

The 62-year-old flatly rejected the notion that he was leaving because of heightened partisanship in Washington, saying he had befriended many Democrats while in office. Johanns has spent three decades in various local, state and federal offices.

Johanns and his wife, Stephanie, a former state lawmaker, announced in a joint email Monday he would not run again in 2014.

"As much as I have loved this, I just know in my heart that in the next stage of my life I want more time with my wife, kids, grand kids and my faith," Johanns said.

Johanns says he has "no big job" lined up after he retires.

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry already has his eye on the spot.

"Given this turn of events I feel compelled to say I will consider a run for the U.S. Senate. I will listen to Nebraskans, explore the questions of how I might most effectively serve and weigh the demands of such an endeavor with my family," Fortenberry said.