Congressman John Peterson retired from Congress today, the 18th Republican member this session. The Congressman made a special trip here to Washington to inform his staff and I caught up with him just after the meeting.

Watch the video story here.

Watch the interview clips here.

Congressman John Peterson was the first lawmaker I interviewed in Washington as a reporter for WSEE, and now his 5th district Congressional seat is up for grabs.
Peterson says family medical problems led him not to run for re-election, adding that he is perfectly healthy. Peterson plans to complete his 6th term in the House before he steps down.

"It's been a wonderful opportunity for a country boy without a college education, but somebody who ran businesses and worked hard. It's been a wonderful opportunity to serve in Congress," he told me inside his Washington office just after the announcement.

Candidates running for Peterson's House seat have until February 12th to qualify for the primary election in April.