A Well-Known Democratic Senator Just Said She Won't Run Again in 2016

Four-term Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she would not run for re-election in 2016, ending the career of one of the most liberal senators and a fixture of the California delegation for the last two decades.

Boxer made the announcement in a video she posted, which shows her grandson asking her questions about whether she would run again when her term ends in 2016.

"I am never going to retire," she said. "The work is too important. But I will not be running for Senate in 2016."

Boxer stressed that age is not a factor (she is 74), and said she feels as young now as she did when she was elected in her 50s. But she said she wants to return to home in California.

"I want to come home," she added. "I want to come home to the state I love so much, California."

Boxer had serves as the chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, and released a list of her greatest 100 accomplishments, many of which have to do with the environment.

Boxer recited a poem she wrote about her big decision:

"The Senate is the place where I've always made my case,

for families, for the planet and the human race.

More than 20 years in a job I love,

thanks to California and the Lord above.

So although I won't be working for my Senate space,

and I won't be running in that next tough race,

as long as there are issues and challenges and strife,

I will never retire, cuz that's the meaning of my life."