After more than 30 years in office, longtime Orange County Congressman David Price announced his retirement last week. He said he would not seek re-election following the conclusion of his term in 2022.
For 18 consecutive terms, David Price has run for reelection. Now, the Fourth District representative told 97.9 The Hill its time for the next generation to take his place.
“There’s never a point where you say, ‘the work is done, I’ve got closure.’ This isn’t the right job for that,” Price said. “But I do think, for me personally, it’s time to pass the baton and I’m happy to do that and appreciate the opportunity to reflect on the years that I’ve served.”
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Price has been an advocate for public transportation, affordable housing and education.
I am announcing today that I will not seek re-election as representative for North Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District.
Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle said through his work on those committees, the congressman represents Orange County values.
“You don’t feel like he’s just some guy that’s off in D.C. He meets with everyone and shake hands and he and his wife Lisa have been such an integral part of this community,” Lavelle said. “As mayor, it’s been really an honor to get to work with Representative Price and really appreciate everything he has done for us.”
Price said he is proud of the groundwork he helped lay, but there is still work to do. In his remaining time in Congress, the 81-year-old wants to pass what he believes are long overdue infrastructure bills.
“After years of under investing and years of talking about this,” Price said. “Finally, we’ve gotten serious and have the possibility of enacting this and I trust we will.”
Price said there wasn’t one particular factor that led to his decision to retire. He said, among other things, it was a combination of his long time in office, changes in Democratic party and redistricting efforts in North Carolina.
“Yes, there has to be changes,” Price said. “Nobody has any entitlement to a safe seat.”
Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners Renee Price said while the area the congressman represents has shifted over the past 30 years, he has always supported his community.
“He will be missed. He has really done a tremendous job for the people of Orange County, as well as the other people he has represented over the years,” County Commissioner Price said. “I’ve been in his district, out of his district, and back in his district and I am so glad to be back in his district.”
The county commissioner said during their time together, Price has given her a wealth of knowledge about the community and creating better policy.
To make the most of his remaining year in office, Price said he would lean on that experience to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill, several reconciliation bills to improve healthcare and early childhood care and ending the filibuster.
Click here for Price’s full statement on his retirement.
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