Congressman Howard Coble Says He Won't Run for Re-election

U.S. Rep. Howard Coble says his 15th term in Congress will be his last.  The 82-year-old Republican announced Thursday in Greensboro he won't seek re-election in 2014, opening the seat for the first time in three decades.

"I had planned to seek reelection recently, but if I'm not physically capable of going full ahead, I fear that it would probably have a negative impact on the campaign," he said. "So I have decided I will not seek reelection." 

Coble made the announcement at Guilford County GOP headquarters, where an audience of about 200 gave him a standing ovation.  Coble is the longest-serving GOP House member in North Carolina history.  He first won the 6th District Congressional seat in 1984.