After 40 years in public office, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland is preparing to retire, but not without a bittersweet farewell.
Despite the challenges of long days, partisan battles, and time away from family, Ruppersberger, who turned 78 in January, is reluctant to leave, citing his five grandchildren as a key reason. Ruppersberger's political journey began in Baltimore, where he served on the Baltimore County Council before being elected Baltimore County executive in 1994 and 1998. He entered Congress in 2002, representing Maryland's Second District, where he emphasized teamwork and bipartisanship, key elements in his successful political career.
During his tenure, Ruppersberger worked on significant projects, such as the Hero Miles program, which provides airline tickets to members of the armed forces. He also served on the House Intelligence Committee, where he focused on national security and traveled to several countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and China.
Reflecting on his time in Congress, Ruppersberger emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration, calling for unity in Congress to address the country's challenges effectively. Despite the current divisive climate in Congress, Ruppersberger believes in the next generation of lawmakers and has endorsed candidates to succeed him, emphasizing the need for strong leadership.
"I was very bipartisan," Ruppersberger said in an interview with Capital News Service. "And you have to be when you're county executive, local government. You have to be bipartisan, you work on all sorts, from business to people who are on welfare. There's so many issues."
"You have to go out and see the people," Ruppersberger continued. "You can't sit in an office and think you're gonna get elected. You have to have people on your team who will go out every day and represent you in the community.
As he prepares to leave office, Ruppersberger plans to continue working on projects and causes he is passionate about. While he acknowledges the challenges ahead, he remains optimistic about the future and grateful for the opportunity to serve his constituents for over two decades.
"I have 10 more months here and I plan on doing what I've always been doing," Ruppersberger said. "Doing the best I can…And I'm not happy about leaving, I'm sad."
"…Life will take care of itself," the congressman said. "I have a lot of experience and a lot of friends so, in the end, I'll be fine. I just need some time not to be sad about leaving this. It's been my life for a long time."
See the full interview on the Capital News Service website.
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