(CNN) - Two days after three leading members of the House of Representatives announced their retirements, another longtime congressman announced Thursday that he plans on staying put on Capitol Hill.
Longtime Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel of New York, in an opinion piece in the New York Daily News, said he's running next year for a 23rd term.
"I have heard the skeptics and the chattering classes wondering whether I remain committed to representing our congressional district which I have passionately served for more than 40 years," Rangel wrote. "After reflection and speaking with constituents in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx I proudly represent, I am all the more fired up about fighting to advance the unfinished business under the most exciting presidency in my lifetime."
Rangel's piece in the Daily News was to coincide with a formal announcement of his candidacy.
Rangel was censured by fellow lawmakers in 2010 for ethics violations. The scandal forced the congressman to step down from his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Rangel only briefly and indirectly mentioned the controversy.
"I may not be a perfect human being, but I believe I am best equipped - by my experience, my knowledge of Washington, my seniority, my passion for serving the people of our district - to help the President achieve his agenda over the next two years," Rangel wrote.
Rangel, a Korean War veteran who won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was first elected to Congress in 1970. While New York's 13th Congressional District is dominated by Democrats, Rangel may face a primary challenge again from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who was one of two Democrats to challenge Rangel in 2012.
Tuesday, 17-term Republican Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia, 10-term GOP Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa, and seven-term Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah all announced they would retire next year rather than run for re-election.