November 07, 2015
U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts, who represents parts of Chester County, will not seek reelection in 2016.
Pitts, a Republican, has served in Congress since 1997. He has represented Pennsylvania's 16th district since 2000, which covers most of Lancaster County and a portion of Berks County as well.
He announced his decision not to run again Friday, saying he had made the decision after "prayerful consideration."
In a news release, he hinted at his plans post-Congress without giving specific details.
“I plan to focus my future work on human rights and religious freedom, both domestic and international, as well as on matters of culture and the American family.
Pitts, a staunch conservative, had chaired the House's Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommitte since 2011 and co-chaired the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission since 2013.
He made national headlines in September after expressing dissapointment about Pope Francis' address to Congress during the pontiff's U.S. visit.
