The retiring Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) on Monday elaborated on his decision to not seek re-election next year at the end of his first term in the Senate.
In a letter addressed to his Nebraska constituents and reported by the Washington Post, Johanns and his wife, Stephanie, said it was time to “close this chapter of our lives.”
Dear Fellow Nebraskans,
We would like to share with you a decision we have made about running for re-election to the United States Senate.
We have decided not to seek re-election.
Words are inadequate to fully express our appreciation for the friendship and support you have given to us over the past three decades.
With everything in life, there is a time and a season. At the end of this term, we will have been in public service over 32 years. Between the two of us, we have been on the ballot for primary and general elections 16 times and we have served in eight offices. It is time to close this chapter of our lives.
During these many years, we have cherished our time together. So as we think about the next stage of our lives, we want a quieter time with our focus on each other, our family and our faith. We are also confident that there will be many more opportunities to serve our state and our nation.
We look forward to the remaining time in the Senate. It is an honor to have served in so many ways over so many years.
May God continue to bless Nebraska and our great nation.
Sincerely,
Mike & Stephanie Johanns
