Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden announced today he will not seek re-election to the office he has held since first being elected in 1998.  The Hood River Republican revealed his decision in a video statement.  Walden said based on recent polling, strong fundraising, and the backing of his family, he is confident he could have won another term, but the time had come to pursue new challenges and opportunities.  He added that he will not seek election to any other office, and will close the public service chapter of his life.  Walden served six years in the Oregon House and two years in the Oregon Senate along with what will end up being 22 years in Congress.  In the statement, Walden cited among accomplishment during his tenure standing up for the ranching and farming way of life in eastern Oregon, and helping Oregonians receive the Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits they earned.