After two decades in Congress, Al Green will leave the Capitol in January. What’s next?
At 78, Green’s political career is likely to end when he leaves office in January. He said he would devote the remainder of his term to progressive causes.
Surrounded by green balloons Tuesday evening, Al Green had hoped to set his sights on the next two years as he fought for a 12th term in Congress. Instead, he turned his gaze to just the next seven months.
"This effort has been one that was sincere, it's something that I have done as a labor of love," he said. "I have enjoyed all of my time as a member of the Congress of the United States of America. And I want to assure you that when I go back to Congress next week, I still plan to take up the cause of women in this country."
Green, who's served 11 terms in Congress representing Houston, lost his runoff election for the Democratic nomination for the 18th Congressional District. The district — along with the 9th Congressional District that Green has represented for more than 20 years — was redrawn by Texas Republicans to reduce Demo…