Former Lane County Commissioner Peter DeFazio, who has served as our Fourth District Congressman for 36-years announced Wednesday that he will be retiring from public office. The Springfield resident followed former Congressman Jim Weaver into representing the South Coast back in Washington D.C. At the age of 75, he says it is time to let someone else carry the torch. DeFazio (D) is Oregon’s longest serving Congressman and currently holds the position of chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.