Tsongas Settles for Bronze

Niki Tsongas’ announcement that she would not seek a seventh term in the U.S. House means the Massachusetts Democrat will end her career with 11 years, 2 months, and 19 days in the chamber. That is good for third place among the five female U.S. Representatives that have been elected to the House from the Bay State. Democrat Louise Hicks (1971-1973) served only two years while fellow Democratic delegation member Katherine Clark will not yet reach half of Tsongas’ tenure by the end of the 115th Congress (5 years, 25 days). Tsongas will fall a few decades short of Republican Edith Rogers (1925-1960) who logged in 35 years, 2 months, 12 days of service and a few terms shy of GOPer Margaret Heckler (1967-1983) who served 16 years. Tsongas is the first female Massachusetts U.S. Representative to retire from the position: Rogers died in office while Hicks and Heckler lost reelection bids.