Democratic U.S. Rep. Barney Frank Won't Run in 2012

Politico reports that MassachusettsRep. Barney Frank, ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, will not seek re-election in 2012 -- and his office has confirmed it.

Frank's spokesman, Harry Gural, said in a statement that the 16-term Democrat will conduct a press conference at 1 p.m. at Newton City Hall in Newton, Mass., to "formally announce and answer questions about his decision not to run for re-election in 2012."

Forget early interviews, Gural said. Neither the congressman nor his staff will answer questions before the afternoon press conference.