The Congressional Black Caucus is losing a longtime member. New York Rep. Edolphus Towns announced today that he won’t seek re-election. The lawmaker said he and his family have been discussing the possibility for months, although he had publically insisted that he would run again this year.

"I am proud to have brought millions of dollars into my district for much needed improvements, fought corruption on Wall Street as Chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee and helped to bring health care to millions of uninsured Americans as a devoted advocate of health care reform,” he said. “It has been an honor to have fought so that the people of New York can have more opportunities and a chance to live better lives.”

Towns, 77, was facing a competitive primary challenge from state Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, who is locally considered to be a rising star, and New York City Councilman Charles Barron, a former Black Panther who unsuccessfully challenged Towns in 2006.

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(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)