Dan Burton of the Helms-Burton law to retire

By Aaron Blake

From The Washington Post

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), who has faced a series of primary challenges in recent years, has decided not to seek a 16th term this year.

Burton, who began his congressional career in the 1960s, told members of the Indiana House on Tuesday that he’ll serve out his term but not run again, the Associated Press reported. The 73-year-old didn’t elaborate on his decision during his brief address to lawmakers, but he told reporters beforehand that he was resigning because of family health issues.

“I don’t want to get into it, it’s about personal problems with family health,” he told reporters gathered around him on the dais at the front of the Indiana House of Representatives, AP said.

The 15-term congressman survived a crowded 2010 primary with less than 30 percent of the vote and would face a tough 2012 race after redistricting overhauled his district. Burton faced primary challenges from former congressman David McIntosh, 2008 and 2010 opponent John McGoff and former U.S. attorney Susan Brooks, among others.