Blaine Luetkemeyer is retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. That’s the day the 119th Congress convenes.
Luetkemeyer, who represents portions of eastern and central Missouri, told Missourinet he’s ready for a break from work.
“Well, I’m 72 years old. I’ve done 20, 24 years of public service, and 50 years in the workplace, and I’m just at the point where I think I just want to retire,” he said. “I’ve got, you know, three kids, seven grandkids. I’ve got a farm outside my home (on the) edge of town that I want to work on and catch up on some work there.”
Other than working on the family farm, he said he plans to take it easy.
“Kind of like to just chill out for a while and see what’s what happens,” Luetkemeyer said. “I’m not in a hurry to get into something else. In fact, I really don’t want to do anything else — just want to be able to enjoy my retirement with the grandkids and participate in family activities again.”
Luetkemeyer said he’s often been called away on congressional business while visiting with family and friends and that he’s glad that won’t be happening anymore.
“(It’s) not unusual for me to get up during a barbecue, or a family gathering, a birthday party and have to go to an event or catch a plane,” he said. “After 16 years, the family’s kind of tired of that, so I’ll be glad to be able to, you know, (go) out with friends and family members, and be able to go to the barbecues and family outings and activities.”
Luetkemeyer, a Republican, formerly served in the Missouri House of Representatives before being elected to Missouri’s 9th Congressional District in 2008. He continued to be re-elected after redistricting and the old 9th District became the current 3rd Congressional District.
Luetkemeyer will be succeeded by fellow Republican Bob Onder, who formerly served in both the Missouri House and Senate.
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