Representative Robert Brady (R-PA, 1st) announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the year.
Brady’s announcement came in the wake of allegations that his campaign paid a primary challenger to drop out of the race in 2012.
Brady has represented Pennsylvania’s first district, which primarily includes south Philadelphia, since 1998 and has been a powerful force in Philadelphia politics for decades, serving as the chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party for more than 30 years.
Brady had already attracted primary challengers for the election this year, but since Pennsylvania’s State Supreme Court has declared the state’s political map unconstitutional, all 18 districts will be redrawn in the coming weeks.
This will most likely change the political dynamics of the district, possibly eliminating it altogether.
