Congressman Sam Farr announces retirement.

It came down to this: Shary Farr told her husband it was time to come home and so Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, is coming home for good.

Farr, who's served in Congress since 1993, announced at a press conference Thursday morning he plans to retire at the end of his current term next year and not seek re-election.

And that just made 2016 a hell of a lot more interesting for a number of high-profile locals who have been eyeballing Farr's job, but waiting for him to step aside.

Word of Farr's retirement announcement leaked several hours before a planned 10am media event at the National Steinbeck Center, where he was widely expected to announce plans for another term and lay out a strategy to take on Casey Lucius, a Navy veteran, former Naval Postgraduate School professor and Pacific Grove councilwoman running as a Republican for the congressional seat.

"I don't have any doubts I would have gotten elected again and again because you in this county have elected me 40 times," Farr says. "I always said, I have the best job in the world."

Farr says what struck him over the past year is the idea that next July 4, he will turn 75.

"I was just thinking about, 'What do you do with the rest of your life?'" Farr told dozens of supporters, including some who teared up Thursday morning. "Shary said, 'You know what? It's time to come home.'"

His proudest vote in Congress: voting against the Iraq War, he said. Among his proudest accomplishments: Helping to create CSU Monterey Bay on the former Fort Ord, and doubling the size of Pinnacles National Monument, then getting it converted into a national park. 

As the primary plays out, Farr says, he will back whomever his party chooses but it's too early to weigh in on a potentially diverse field of Democrats vying for the seat.  

"I'm certainly going to support my party's nominee," he said. 

Widely expected to vie for that nomination: Jimmy Panetta (son of Leon and Sylvia), a U.S. Navy veteran and a Monterey County assistant district attorney. Carmel Mayor, former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official and Packard scion Jason Burnett is not ruling out a run either. Sources say Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, might be mulling a run as well, and so is state Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel. 

Also thinking about it is Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, who answered his cell phone with a laugh and says he's been getting calls about Farr's announcement from everyone from the L.A. Times to the Sacramento Bee.

"Having Sam leave, to lose the dean of the California congressional delegation, is a big loss for us on the Central Coast," Alejo says. Asked if he plans to run, Alejo says he's interested, but plans to take a few weeks to think it through.

His wife, Karina Cervantez Alejo, is running for the Assembly seat that Luis Alejo will term out of next year. Alejo, meanwhile, plans on moving to Salinas to run against Monterey County Supervisor Fernando Armenta in the race for the District 1 seat.

"I'm certainly interested, but we all know congressional races are different than a local or state race," Alejo says. "It's going to take me a few weeks to think through it and see what the best course is for me in the next year. Sam has a long list of accomplishments and shoes that are impossible to fill."

Burnett admits he's thinking about running as well, but has other irons in the fire, including a possible gig working for the state of California on water issues. There's also the kid factor to consider—Burnett and his wife, Mel, have a 4-year-old and Burnett likes being a hands-on dad. 

"I'm talking to folks in D.C. too and exploring options here," Burnett says. "My first priority would be to my family. I want to be the best husband I can be and the best dad that I can be, and I'm not saying I'm not going to run, but I can't figure out how that commute would make sense for my family." 

Monning is traveling in Argentina and couldn't be reached for immediate comment. 

Likewise, Jimmy Panetta couldn't be reached for immediate comment. Shortly after Farr made his announcement, former Secretary of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta issued a written statement lauding Farr's legacy of service.

"As someone born and raised on the Central Coast, Sam Farr has dedicated his life to serving the needs of this area. From the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to the state Legislature to the Congress, he has for over 40 years fought to protect our quality of life," the statement reads.

"I was proud to have Sam follow me in the Congress. When his service is combined with that of his father Fred, the Farrs will have left a legacy of public service that will never be forgotten. We wish him and his wife Shary the very best in the future."

Lucius, the P.G. councilwoman who announced her surprise run earlier this year, issued a statement thanking Farr for his service to the community.

"I will continue to work hard and share my ideas regardless of who joins the race," she states.

Farr has held his seat in Congress since 1993, when he was elected by a special election after Leon Panetta left Congress to head the federal Office of Management and Budget. Before his election to Congress, Farr served for 12 years in the California State Assembly and for six years on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. 

Weekly Editor Mary Duan contributed to this report.