After 26 years representing Washington State’s 7th District in Congress, Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA 7th District) on Monday announced his retirement.

The senior member of the House Ways & Means and Budget Committees, announced Monday morning in Seattle that he will not seek re-election when his current term ends at the end of this year.

“The support and trust symbolized by the voters’ judgment is the highest honor they could have bestowed upon me, and I will retire from the House forever humbled and grateful for my constituents’ unwavering embrace,” McDermott said at a press conference. “I’m proud that this list of accomplishments or works in progress is both lengthy and broad — it includes major reform of the foster care system, a landmark program of housing for needy AIDS patients, the first stirrings of the partnership that would become Sound Transit and most importantly, health security for all.”

After 14 terms in Congress, McDermott had a reputation for being an outspoken, liberal leader.

“Not surprisingly, not everything has worked out as I had hoped, but, on balance, I will leave the Congress with few regrets,” McDermott said Monday.