Brother Sander Levin Says Sen. Carl Levin Will Retire to Forgo Campaigning

Michigan's U.S. Sen. Carl Levin decided not to run for re-election in 2014 so he can focus on issues instead of campaigns.

Levin's older brother, Sander Levin, represents Michigan's 9th District, which includes Royal Oak, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is what he said about Levin's announcement in a statement to Patch: 

“Carl is determined to focus on the critical issues confronting our state and nation for the next two years as a Senator rather than a candidate.”

Levin, 78, who has been in office for more than 30 years, released a statement Thursday stating “I can best serve my state and my nation by concentrating in the next two years on the challenging issues before us … in other words, by doing my job without the distraction of campaigning for re-election."

Read about his description of those challenging issues here.

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who serves as Michigan's second representative in the Senate, issued a statement on Levin's announcement.

She said Levin, a Democrat, was respected by colleagues in both parties because of his concern for doing what is right instead of earning accolades for himself.

"The more people we have like Carl Levin serving in public office, the better off our country will be," she said.

Stabenow said although he will be missed, there are two more years in which they'll work together.

"I look forward to continuing to fight side-by-side with him on behalf of the people of Michigan, just as he has always done throughout his remarkable career," she said.

Rep. Gary Peters, who serves Michigan's 14th Congressional District including Royal Oak Township, said in his statement on Levin's announcement that he looked to Levin as an example when he began his career in public service.

"Like Carl has for so many others, he became a mentor to me over the years and I’m proud to call him my friend. His leadership will be missed, but his legacy to Michigan and this country will outlive all of us," he said.

Levin won his first seat in 1978 and was named by TIME Magazine as one of America’s 10 best senators.