Rep. Studds Won’t Seek a 13th Term

Rep. Gerry E. Studds, a Democrat in his 12th term, announced Saturday that he won’t seek reelection next year.

“It is time for me . . . to move on to other challenges,” Studds told about 200 supporters at the Old Whaling Church in this Martha’s Vineyard town.

He said he had been considering leaving Congress since the summer of 1992, when his district was redrawn, but decided to stay through President Clinton’s current term.

Studds, 58, is one of two openly gay members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation; the other is Barney Frank. Studds was first elected to Congress in 1972. In 1983, he was censured by the House for having sex with a young man who had served as a congressional page; despite the bad publicity, Studds kept on winning reelection.

Studds said he had no plans yet for another career, but said “the possibilities are endless.”

He said his departure was unrelated to the Republican agenda sweeping the Congress.

Nevertheless, Studds blasted the Republicans’ agenda, accusing them of using a “wrecking ball” against Medicaid, Medicare and funding for the environment, and the arts and humanities.

William Vernon, executive director of the Republican State Committee, said the GOP would welcome an open 10th-District seat.

“There are no Republican districts in Massachusetts, but we have a fighting chance here more than in some other districts,” he said.

One likely Democratic contender is Michael Kennedy, son of Robert F. Kennedy and brother of Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.).