WASHINGTON (JTA) — Longtime U.S. Rep. Barney Frank will not run again for his Massachusetts seat in 2012.
The veteran Democratic Jewish lawmaker’s office confirmed to JTA that Frank would make the announcement Monday in his congressional district, in the Town Hall in Newton, Mass., at 1 p.m.
Frank, 71, reportedly is unhappy with how his district has been reshaped because of the most recent census.
He has served since 1980, and was a leader in the House of Representatives on financial issues. Frank also was the first congressman to come out as gay.
In recent years, Frank has taken the lead in advocating for clemency for Jonathan Pollard, jailed for life since 1985 for spying for Israel.
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