Serrano announces retirement after Parkinson’s diagnosis
NEW YORK — Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), a longtime Bronx congressman and one of the House’s most liberal members, announced Monday he would not seek reelection in 2020 because he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“Today, I am announcing that I am living with Parkinson’s disease,” Serrano said in a press release.
“After my diagnosis, I initially planned to continue my work representing the people of the South Bronx far into the future — a responsibility that brings me great joy. Although this disease has not affected my work in Congress, over the last few months I’ve come to the realization that Parkinson’s will eventually take a toll, and that I cannot predict its rate of advancement. Because of this uncertainty, I do not intend to seek reelection in 2020. I do intend to serve the remainder of my term in the 116th Congress.”
Serrano, who has served in Congress since winning a special election in 1990, is 75 years old and is the longest-serving Hispanic-American in the House. The Puerto Rico native has long served on the House Appropriations Committee, where he currently chairs a subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies.
Serrano’s retirement is likely to set up a spirited Democratic primary fight to succeed him. New York’s 15th District is the most Democratic congressional district in the country, according to the Cook Political Report’s “Partisan Voting Index,” and Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump there in the 2016 election, 94 percent to 5 percent.
Ritchie Torres, a 31-year old New York city councilman and the first openly gay elected official from the Bronx, has previously said he’s exploring a run for the seat and opened a committee with the Federal Election Commission last week to test the fundraising waters.
Torres told POLITICO Monday he had no idea of the incumbent’s diagnosis before the announcement.
“Jose Serrano is an icon. He’s been an inspiration to young Latino [elected officials] like myself for decades. He should be celebrated for his public service,” Torres said.
”I wish him and his family nothing but the best. Obviously, the fact that he has Parkinson’s is terrible and tragic,” Torres said. “I’ve had a cordial relationship with the congressman in my years in public office, and he’s a profoundly decent man.”