Jerry Lewis, the dean of the California Republicans in Congress, confirmed today what's been around for a few days now. He wont seek reelection this year in the new district he's been given in the Inland Empire. The Flash Report reported earlier this week that Lewis had been telephoning donors to tell them he was retiring, a scoop we reported. Lewis played coy for a day but dropped the act today. From the Washington Post:

Lewis, 77, is the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee....First elected to Congress in 1978, Lewis has served in Congress longer than any Republican in California history.

“After months of consultation with loved ones and family, my wife Arlene and I have decided to retire from public life,” Lewis said in a press release.