Rep. Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) will retire after 30 years in Congress, FOX News Channel confirmed Sunday night.
Towns will not seek re-election later this year for the re-drawn 8th Congressional seat.
The 77-year-old was to face a tough primary fight against two Democratic challengers, New York City Councilman Charles Barron and state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Politico reported.
According to campaign finance reports filed over the weekend, Jeffries had outraised Towns by more than $40,000 during the first quarter.
Towns was first elected in 1982 and was formerly Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
The former school teacher is also a veteran of the United States Army and an ordained Baptist minister.