New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg has announced he will not seek re-election.
The 89-year-old lawmaker is the last remaining veteran of World War II in the Senate and has been elected easily five times.
Lautenberg is a staunch advocate of gun control and public infrastructure and is a champion of the Amtrak railroad.
Lautenberg first won election to the Senate in 1982.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, also a Democrat, previously announced his plans to seek Lautenberg’s seat instead of challenging Republican Gov. Chris Christie, as many Democrats hoped he would.
Broadcast newsman Geraldo Rivera has also said he’s contemplating a run for the US Senate in New Jersey in 2014.
“I figure, at my age, if I’m going to do it, I’ve got to do it. And there doesn’t seem to be any Republicans ready to work against or run against Cory Booker,” he said.