WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, one of the most fiercely independent Republicans in Congress who has repeatedly stood up to hard-line conservatives, plans to retire at the end of his term next year.

The three-term congressman from Central New York plans to announce his decision Monday morning in a news conference at his home in the village of Barneveld in Oneida County.

Hanna stood out nationally as the only Republican in Congress to support same-sex marriage, a woman's right to an abortion and the Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing equal rights for women.

The 64-year-old, who made millions as the owner of a Utica-area construction company, told syracuse.com/The Post-Standard that he made his decision to retire in the past week - although rumors had circulated on Capitol Hill for several years.

Hanna said his motivation is a desire to spend more time at home with his wife, Kim, and children, Emerson, 8, and Grace, 7, rather than spending weeks commuting to Washington.

"I took a poll, the only poll that matters," Hanna said, noting the final say belonged to his family. "For the last year and a half or two years, when I leave for Washington, Grace or Emerson cries. And when I get back, they are happy to see me. But I've been indicted by my kids for being away from them."

He added, "When all is said and done, if you haven't raised your family well, you haven't accomplished anything in life. I've got good kids and a great wife, and they simply don't want me to do this anymore."

Hanna said the decision by conservative state Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, to challenge him in a primary for a second consecutive election had nothing to do with his decision.

Hanna did not have a Democratic opponent in 2014, and so far no Democrat has declared as a candidate for the 22nd Congressional District seat in 2016.

But his decision is likely to make New York's 22nd District one of the most competitive House races in the nation next year for an open seat in a traditionally moderate swing district.

Among those who have previously expressed interest or have been rumored to consider a run for the congressional seat are Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.; Catherine Bertini of Cortland County, the former executive director of the United Nations World Food Program; and Oswego County Clerk Michael Backus.

State Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, has been mentioned in Democratic circles as a potential candidate for the congressional seat.

The Utica-based congressional seat has been represented by moderate Republicans or Democrats for the past 34 years, including 24 years by former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford. Boehlert emerged as the powerful leader of the GOP moderate wing in the 1990s.

Boehlert, part of an inner circle informed of Hanna's decision in the past few days, said he feared his friend would walk away from an increasingly partisan, gridlocked Congress.

"I think it will be a significant loss to Congress and the district to lose someone of Richard Hanna's caliber," Boehlert told syracuse.com.

"He developed a skill that is in short supply today - the ability to listen," Boehlert said. "He's just a very thoughtful, very deliberative, fine human being. But I understand his decision. It's not a fun place to work these days because everyone is shooting at each other at close range."

Although he considers himself a fiscal conservative, Hanna has increasingly parted ways with Republicans in Congress on social issues. He stood out in December as one of only three Republicans to oppose cutting off federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

Before the vote, Hanna accused hard-line GOP conservatives of pandering and political theater.

In 2012, Hanna received Planned Parenthood's Barry Goldwater Award, presented annually to a Republican who fights to protect women's reproductive rights.

Hanna also made national headlines in October when he suggested a GOP House committee had political motivations against Hillary Clinton in its investigation into the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, chairman of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, later blasted Hanna for his comments, suggesting he had no idea what he was talking about.



Hanna said Republican House leaders did not punish him for his comments, nor did it factor into his decision to retire.

U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna with his family, from left, wife, Kim, son Emerson, 8, and daughter, Grace, 7. They are shown on the back of 1950s truck at Hanna's home in Oneida County.

"I have never felt uncomfortable or been made to feel uncomfortable by the party," he said.

Hanna said he has no regrets about drawing the ire of party leaders on Benghazi or his votes where he split with the party.

"I have a bad habit," Hanna said of his direct manner. "If people ask me a question, I give them an answer. It's the old story: If you never lie, you never have to remember what you said. In politics, people are always trying to figure out what they said. I don't have to do that."

The congressman said he will leave office with no regrets, proudest of his work in 2012 to bring Republicans and Democrats together in a coalition to renew an anti-domestic violence bill, the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA.

Hanna said he's also proud that he stayed true to his values during his five years to date in the House of Representatives.

"I think my fundamental core values are very Republican," he said. "The party has changed, but I haven't."

The 2016 congressional primaries in New York state will be June 28. The 22nd Congressional District covers all of Chenango, Cortland, Madison and Oneida counties and part of Broome, Herkimer, Oswego and Tioga counties.

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