GOP Rep. Runyan, ex-football player, won't run again

GOP Rep. Jon Runyan will not run next year for a third term, giving Democrats a possible pickup opportunity in the U.S. House.

"Politics shouldn't be a career, and I never intended to make it one," stated Runyan, who said spending time with his three children is his "top priority."

Runyan, a former offensive lineman with the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, defeated a Democrat to win the South Jersey-based seat in 2010. President Obama carried New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District in 2008 and 2012.

Since coming to Congress, Runyan has been a centrist and has worked with Democrats on key issues, including aid to help Jersey residents affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Although he denounced the government shutdown as a "failed strategy," Runyan was criticized by Democrats for not doing more to avoid the stalemate and end the shutdown sooner. After the shutdown ended, the non-partisan Cook Political Report changed its rating on the 3rd District from "solid Republican" to "likely Republican."

Contributing: Malia Rulon Herman, Gannett Washington Bureau

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