Conservative GOP Rep. Salmon of Arizona announces retirement

Conservative Arizona Rep. Matt Salmon says he will not seek re-election this November.

The 58-year-old Republican says he wants to spend more time with his family.

Salmon has been a member of the House Freedom Caucus, the rebellious group of conservative lawmakers who frequently defied GOP leaders and helped push former Speaker John Boehner to leave Congress.

In a statement Thursday, Salmon said he was proud of his votes to cut federal spending.

Salmon first served in the House in the 1990s and unsuccessfully ran for Arizona governor in 2002. He was re-elected to the House in 2012.